Annual Veterans Month Exhibit honors WWII Navy

The Niles-Maine Library District

gratefully acknowledges the generosity and insight shared in this exhibit by Niles resident, collector and historian, Chris Reuscher and his wife Laura.

Further details explaining the uniforms

of World War II can be read on Chris's website

http://www.usww2uniforms.com

“the place to discover and explore United States military uniforms & clothing of the WWII era.”

Charles “Chuck” Jacobs, the first World War II Niles resident, to be interviewed for the Niles Veterans History Project, served as Pharmacist’s Mate 2/C on the Destroyer Escort USS Sims which is depicted on the left in the exhibit backdrop.

Chuck’s interview and those of other veterans can be read upstairs in the Veterans History Corner

and via the library’s website at

https://www.nileslibrary.org/veterans-history-project

"Thank You For Your Service," annual November Exhibit at the Niles-Maine District Library

During the month, visitors to the first floor Commons area  can view a display focusing on the World War II uniforms worn by the two oldest  Niles participants in the Veterans History Project,  Charles Matz - US Marine and Matthew Wojtaszek - US Army Paratrooper who flank their exhibit as shown. Gunnery Sergeant Matz saw extensive action in the Pacific from New Guinea through Peleliu to Okinawa while T/5 Corporal  Wojtaszek fought from North Africa through Italy and Normandy and onto Germany.

 The library acknowledges the generosity and insight shared in this exhibit by Niles resident  and historian,  Chris Reuscher, who assembled the two uniforms from his extensive collection. His website is "the place to discover and explore United States military uniforms and clothing of the World War II era."

Annual Veterans Day Display at the Niles Public Library

This year’s Veterans Day Exhibit includes uniforms recreated to match the uniforms of the World War II Veterans Bette Horstman, a Physical -Therapist and 1st Lieutenant in the Army Medical Corps in Saipan and Harold Horstman, an Army Staff Sergeant in Europe with the  103rd AAA AW Battalion, Battery C. The Horstmans are the latest interviewees for the Veterans History Project at the Niles Public Library.

 The library again acknowledges the informed generosity of Niles resident Chris Reuscher who has shared the uniforms and accurate insignia from his extensive collection, detailed at http://www.usww2uniforms.com/index.html. Chris also provided the informative captions.

In addition this year's exhibit includes two models in the foreground, a U.S. Corsair and a German Messerschmitt Bf 109, both expertly built by Bill Griggs and kindly loaned for

 exhibition by Greg Bosak of Chicagoland Toys and Hobbies, 6078 Northwest Highway, Chicago, 773-775-4848.

"D-Day," the Annual May, 2014 Memorial Day Exhibit at the Library

The library’s annual May display to honor our local veterans and highlight the local Veteran’s History Project was initiated by Battle of the Bulge veteran, Al Aronson, of the US

28th Infantry Division or the “Keystone”/Bucket of Blood Division  in 2009.  Mr. Aronson’s interview transcript is available along with those of 52 other heroes in the 3rd floor Reference Department and via the library’s website . This year’s exhibit focuses on the 70th Anniversary of D-Day, June 6, 1944. The library acknowledges the informed generosity of Niles resident and veteran Ralph Ponfil who donated the German war artifacts.  This year’s exhibit again benefits greatly from the contributions of Niles resident Chris Reuscher who has shared appropriate uniforms from his extensive collection which is detailed on a most helpful website .

3 VHP participants who have recorded their memoirs of service through the Niles Public Library took part in the Normandy Invasion: Max Kolpas (Wood Dale), Walter Tymczuk (Niles) and Matthew Wojtaszek (Niles). All served in the US Army.

November 2013 Veterans Exhibit at Niles Public Library Honors WACs and JFK

This fall’s November Veterans Day exhibit acknowledges the contributions of the WACS, the Women’s Army Corps, during World War II and also honors the memory of the nation’s 35th President, John F. Kennedy,  who served with distinction in the U.S. Navy. Fifty years ago in August of 1963, he wrote

"Any man who may be asked in this century what he did to make his life worthwhile, I think can respond with a good deal of pride and satisfaction, 'I served in the United States Navy,'" 

The library acknowledges the help of the Niles Historical Society and its curator, Dan Smaczny, and the invaluable assistance of Niles resident, Chris Reuscher in mounting the exhibit. Dan arranged for the loan of the painting by the distinguished artist Konrad Hack. Once again, Chris shares historic uniforms from his personal collection and his considerable expertise in their display.

Here's a close-up of the Konrad Hack painting of General George Marshall and Colonel Oveta Culp Hobby,
"Inspecting the WAC," which now hangs back at its current home at the Niles Historical Society where the artist will appear in a public program on Saturday, November 23, from 2 - 4 pm.The NHS telephone number is 847-390-0160.