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By MICHAEL AUBRECHT

THE DICTIONARY defines a re-enac-tor as "a person who re-creates a character in a historical event such as a battle" or "a person who portrays history as a pastime." This is true.

Unfortunately, however, these two definitions don't even begin to describe the contribution to the preservation of American history that re-enactors provide.

With reverence for their characters beyond that of any actors preparing for the stage, these men and women dedicate their lives to educating the public while maintaining the honorable memories of those whom they portray. In essence, as "living historians" they themselves are the attraction. Theirs is an expensive hobby, but its benefits are priceless, because without them, the stories of our nation's heroes would inevitably be forgotten.

Without question, the most popular re-enactments are those depicting the American Civil War. Since their inception in the early 1900s, hundreds of re-enactor groups have been chartered across the country, each portraying a brigade or company. Some units are better than others, but all of them strive to look and act the part.

To my knowledge, no other organization embodies its characters better than Lee's Lieutenants. Christened the "Headquarters Army of Northern Virginia," this group was formed in 2003 to promote and teach the history of the war for Southern independence.

To date, the group boasts ultra-realistic portrayals of Gens. Robert E. Lee, James Longstreet, Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson, J.E.B. Stuart, George Pickett, Jubal Early, Lewis Armistead and others, including several members of their staffs, along with civilians. Some members have appeared in TV documentaries, while others have been captured on canvas posing for renowned Civil War painter Mort Künstler.

Horses, spouses, troops and children round out the group's complete cast. Most impressive is the absence of any Hollywood illusion. There are no fake beards or facial prosthetics in this group. These generals look just like the men they portray. In fact, they are so uncanny that attendees at their events sometimes feel as if they actually traveled back in time, if only for a moment.