Re-enactors bring World War II to Fremont Middle School eighth-grade students

World War II came to Fremont Middle School in Mundelein on Thursday as re-enactment experts from Don't Know Much About History showed students what it was like to be a soldier or a pilot.

"When you can see and feel and touch things, that's what really brings it home to people, said World War II re-enactor Phil Lauricella of Elburn.

Lauricella's program takes kids from enlistment to discharge and everything in between.

"We bring World War II to life for the students," he said.

Eighth-graders were treated to three programs - the Women's Air Force Service Pilots, Allied soldiers from Russia and Britain, and German and U.S. soldiers.

The re-enactors explained battle fatigue, dressing for battle and key weapons used in battle.

Students tried on uniforms and held weapons from the era.