The Bong Veterans Center in Superior has released a unique calendar that pays respect to movies made about World War II. But they’re using well-known locals as models. Monte Stewart has the story.

The Bong Veterans Center has partnered with Kernz & Kompany to help make this calendar. Kernz & Kompany President Ryan Kern says this is not only about fundraising for the Bong Center, but about giving it more exposure as well. This is the second year of the calendar project. Kern says the unique thing this year is that it features well-known local community members portraying war movie heroes.

“The theory behind the calendar was using historical imagery that people may be familiar with. And then plugging in notable Northlanders from Duluth, Minnesota; Superior, Wisconsin and around the region to be featured in the calendar and then have them re-enact that historical image.”

Some of the movies in the 2013 calendar include: 1944’s “Lifeboat”, “Windtalkers”, “The Great Escape”, “PT 109”, “Stalag 17”, and “Casablanca”.

Kern says it’s quite a process to decide which pictures and community members will be used.

“It’s not just about finding the most well known or recognizable members in your community because a lot of those individuals may not look the part. And there is an emphasis on being put that on the pictures that we choose, we need to find likenesses to the character.”

Kern says finding 40’s period style clothing to fit characters is one of the biggest challenges.

He thinks it’s a great cause for the Bong Veterans Center.

“Any of our military members who have served currently or in the past, they are preserving their memories and preserving their stories and really educating people in our community about to know what it’s like. For me personally, I take great pride in what they do. I think it’s a great, worthwhile organization and I’m happy to help out.”

Legendary local attorney Toby Marcovich is one of the people featured in the calendar after a Bong Center dinner fundraiser.

“Well I was one of the survivors in the lifeboat. That picture is taken from Alfred Hitchcock’s movie, “The Lifeboat. And the couple that we were with that evening for dinner, who are the other couple in the picture, bought the rights to be in that picture at the auction. So that's how i got in there."

Some of the other notable local community members include: Jeff Foster and Toni Fladmark of Foster Trucking, George Hovland of Hovland Construction, UW-Superior Chancellor Renee Wachter, Superior School Superintendent Janna Stevens, Johnny Ringold of Benna Ford, and Superior Fire Chief Jim Ringstad.

There are more than 500 calendars available right now. They are available at Super One Foods, the Bong Veterans Center, and also online at the bong veteran center.

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