World War II re-enactors bring uniforms, equipment and history lesson to Mundelein classroom

World War II re-enactors used authentic uniforms and equipment to take Fremont Middle School students back in time and bring the war to life Thursday.

Historians from Elburn-based Don't Know Much About History re-created for eighth-graders what it was like to be a soldier on a battlefield in the European and Pacific theaters.

"What we talk about is the role of the German GI and the American GI in World War II, and in particular what he did in battle. What we're trying to show the children is the gear, the weapons and the roles that they played, and a little history about the war," said World War II re-enactor Donald Pitchers of Rockford, who dressed in U.S. Army Signal Corps uniform. "These were the majority of the men that were drafted. We show the differences between a soldier from the U.S., as opposed to a soldier from the German army."

Rebecca Kramer, the eighth-grade language arts instructor and World War II Days coordinator, dressed appropriately in Rosie the Riveter attire for the presentation.

"The students have just finished their World War II unit, and this is a nice culminating event for them," Kramer said.

The afternoon also featured the eighth-grade jazz band playing music from the period in a World War II-style canteen dance.