"WWII; From the Homefront to the Frontlines" July 15, 2012 at the Colonel Palmer House in Crystal Lake, Illinois

A Soldier's Ration Kit including hygiene kits, first aid kit,  and meal kits.  Let's not forget the cigarettes (4 in a box),  chewing gum and a book of matches.  Note the matchbox advertises VD awareness with the slogan "Easy to Pick-up"!

 Here is an example of a dinner kit.

Mess kit

Various items used by soliders during WWII.

 For the airborne division all this gear would be with them as they would parachute down.

 

More various tools, weapons and necessities for a WWII solider.  Note the banner pillowcases.  Uncle Louie bought one of these for his mom from Fort Sheridan.  Common gift to send to the family.

Re-enactors and also veterans themselves from other wars.

1938 or 1940 Buick.  One sign said 1940 the other 1938.  Don't think they changed too much!

Yes, girls baseball had its place during WWII.  Thought these gals were so cute!  There were strict rules they had to follow to play baseball such as going to charm school and must wear makeup at all times (and lipstick) during the game. They would be chaperoned outside the baseball team as well.  Check out the link below or watch A League Of Their Own.

 http://www.lib.niu.edu/1995/ihy950452.html

A typical officer's trunk

A common sight at the homefront, children going down the road with wagons collecting scrap metal, newspapers and bottles.

 Women at work working for factories that provided supplies or items needed for the war effort.  This company, Oak Manufacturing from Crystal Lake made switches needed for military radios.  They even provided bus transportation for the woman for either first or second shift.  Also, this particular company provided a social club for the ladies.

2 Rosie the Riveters!

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosie_the_Riveter

And the 2 lovely ladies from the Red Cross.  They were helping to recruit people to various assignments in the Red Cross.  These particular ladies formed a group called the "Purl-harders", get it? Pearl Harbor!  They would knit scarves and items for the boys overseas. 

1940s fashion and dresses on exhibit

POW camps in the states.  Illinois had 3 Major German Prisoner of War Camps, Fort Sheridan being one of them.  Wisconsin had a Japanese POW camp.

Wonderful exhibit of insignias.  These were typically shoulder sleeve insignias.  Note the one on the top row in the center, that is one my Uncle Louie had for the U.S. Army Air Corps.