It all started as an innocent question when he was just a boy. Adam Macmillan asked his dad if any members of their family served in the military. Macmillan’s passion for military history then turned into a project that is making New Jersey proud.

The 19-year-old Cranbury resident’s basement is like walking into a military museum. Macmillan has a growing collection of military uniforms and items. It is a growing collection sparked by an admiration of all who served.

“I think there’s a select few kids, teens, whatever who actually appreciate and have a passion for learning about the sacrifices,” Macmillan says.

Macmillan accompanies veteran Bob Gibson to Normandy last summer. Macmillan was Gibson’s caretaker at D-Day remembrances.

“I’m telling you, you couldn’t find a better boy. I wish he was my own son, that’s how much I think of him, really,” says Gibson.

“Just being able to be there with him and share those emotions means the world to me. And I know it meant a lot to him,” Macmillan says.

Gibson recently came to the Macmillan home and saw the basement collection.

“For a 19-year-old boy to feel this way, I think it’s unusual,” Gibson says.

“I think he's really glad there's people like me still out there who appreciate it and will pass his stories along,” Macmillan says.

Many of the items in Macmillan’s collection are family mementos. But there is one uniform that is prominently on display. Rick Yarosh was badly burned when an IED nearly killed him in Iraq. He gave much for his country, and he gave Macmillan his uniform.

“It was going to sit in a box forever. It was never going to be seen. Like with [News 12], you’re covering it. It is seen,” Yarosh says.

“I wanted to dedicate a portion of my basement to him because his sacrifice allows us to have the freedoms we have today,” Macmillan says.

Yarosh’s uniform will still be on display years from now. People will know of the sacrifices he has made – Macmillan will see to it.

“I don't know that outlier is the right word. He's further than that. I'm talking about the admiration. I'm talking about the respect and the pride. Adam does have something extremely special,” Yarosh says.

Macmillan says he hopes to one day have a space in Cranbury where people can come and see his collection and learn about military history. He was able to go to Normandy and hook up with Gibson through the Best Defense Foundation. It organizes free trips for veterans back to Normandy for D-Day anniversaries.