Illinois War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission

Aaron Lipe, 25, is originally from Makanda, Illinois.  He currently lives in Carterville, Illinois with his wife, Sarah, where he works as a landscaper.  Aaron has been reenacting for five years with the 17th Illinois Territorial Rangers Company “A.”  He believes the anniversary of the War of 1812 should be celebrated so that Americans will not forget this conflict.  According to Aaron, history books do not give “the forgotten war” enough attention.  Thus, many Americans do not understand the significance of this era.  Aaron reenacts so that he can spread his knowledge of this period to others so they too can appreciate the “second war of independence” and the freedom that resulted from it.