The Historical Re-enactment Society displayed World War II uniforms and equipment Wednesday in the Stevenson Tower east field.

The display was part of an event celebrating ROTC week.

The group came to NIU because Ernest Klapmeier, a real estate agent and founder of the British regiment, grew up in DeKalb and called the ROTC program to show the people of DeKalb what the society is about.

He said the main reason for the society’s existence is “to bring back awareness of World War II and its veterans, what really happened and to honor them (the veterans) for the sacrifices they had to go through.”

Margaret Wolfe, a professional renovator, said the society has talked to veterans in the past. She said “we want to make them feel good that someone remembered.”

The best reward from participating in the society is talking to the veterans and seeing “the look in their eyes,” Klapmeier said.

Many of the members joined because a family member was born or fought in that era. Some were in other wars such as the Vietnam War and want the veterans of World War II to be remembered as they hope to be remembered in years to come.

Thomas Wood, a general contractor and a Buck private for the American unit, said he lost uncles in World War II and “buddies” in Vietnam. He said he joined “more for my buddies so they would be remembered because nobody remembers anybody.”

Wolfe said the Historical Re-enactment Society has been active for 12 years. There are 400 to 500 members nationwide.

The members spend their time and money participating in the society. Wood said members are required to participate in one battle or meeting a month. He said there are more battles in the summer due to the good weather.

Al McKechnie, a member of the British unit, said the units usually travel to different areas of the country to perform battles against each other or perform in army anniversaries.

Bruce Mayhugh, a renovator and troop sergeant major of the British unit, said the uniforms are bought by the members and are found in any manner possible.

“You look and look and beg and beg and steal from your friends’ basements,” he said.

Wood said the gear, which includes the uniforms and ammunition, is bought from other society members, antique shops, gun shows and “any uncle’s closet.”

Occasionally, Russian, German and Japanese units are involved in the exercises. Wood said there is a Historical Re-enactment Society in Japan, but they do not have authentic uniforms, only reproductions.