Mike Cecere’s ballcap bears the inscription “Retired Teacher–Every Child Left Behind.” Knowing Cecere’s fondness for classroom teaching, he may wear the cap in jest. Perhaps not. The red ballcap was a gift from his daughter. He still wears his red Gloucester High School jacket proudly.

Although Cecere has set aside his formal teaching duties, he has not abandoned the pursuit of his own education. Through writing more than 20 books, mostly on the American Revolution, participating in battle re-enactments, and hosting book signing events, Cecere continues to share his historical expertise with an ever wider following.

Most recently, Mike Cecere led a battlefield walk at the Great Bridge Battlefield and Waterways History Foundation Museum in Chesapeake. A handful of knowledgeable researchers and historians gathered at the museum to walk the battlefield with Cecere on the 247th anniversary of The Battle of Great Bridge of December 9, 1775.

“I’ve been on many battlefield tours,” s...