Photo by Charmain Z. Brackett Robert Anzuoni, Signal Corps Museum director, demonstrates World War II paratrooper equipment to a group of eighth graders at Immaculate Conception Academy on Feb. 12. When not giving tours or procuring pieces or other duties for the Signal Corps Museum, Robert Anzuoni follows the Signal Corps' slogan of getting the message through to those outside the gates.

"I do about three dozen a year," said Anzuoni, who gave a presentation on World War II paratroopers at Immaculate Conception Academy on Feb. 12.

Whether it's reacting the Signal Corps' earliest days in the Civil War at the Aiken County Museum or portraying a paratrooper in an area classroom, Anzuoni dresses up in era appropriate uniforms and carries with him equipment to illustrate history in a tangible way.

For the World War II presentation on Feb. 12, Anzuoni arrived with about 180 pounds of gear including his rifle, parachute, antenna and K-rations. He simulated an airplane jump and rolled into the classroom for a more dramatic entry.

The drab uniform he wore was circa 1942 reinforced with tent canvas on the elbows, knees and at the pockets. Despite the second strap, the helmet didn't stay too securely on a paratrooper's head.

Anzuoni tailored his Feb. 12 presentation to match the chapter on the invasion of Normandy the eighth grade students at Immaculate Conception Academy had just finished.

By 1944, the parachutes used would have been made from a different type fabric.

Originally, the chutes would have been made of silk.

"Silk was cut off by mid-war," he said. "They needed something to replace silk. Nylon was used in the middle of the war. It had to be lightweight but strong enough." While Anzuoni played the role of 1944 paratrooper on Feb. 12, he hasn't always been the dramatic type, he said.

"When I was in high school, I was the photographer," said Anzuoni prior to the presentation. "I would take the photos of all the plays."

Now, he takes on the role of Civil War Signal Soldier, World War II paratrooper or Vietnam War era Soldier with ease.