"I have mine, and am writing a story of these years to pass on to my grandchildren. I want to make sure that they get the truth."
WOW, what a great idea MM.
I'd give anything if I could read, or hear, my grandparents' thoughts on WWII. Both of them sent boys to war, worried about them, etc. They also lived through the Great Depression, WWI, and so much more.
While I was close to one grandpa and one grandma, and was able to discuss with them some of their views, I was too young when I lost all my grandparents to really get a chance to understand the challenges they faced in their lifetimes.
Being an aspiring journalist, I did approach one grandpa (my last living grandparent) when I was in my early 20s and tried to interview him, but, being an old hillbilly, he hushed up and wouldn't talk any more.
I even tried hiding my big bulky tape player under his chair, but he was wise to me. My 80 year old Mother to this day won't leave a message on telephone recording.
I have an aunt living now who is 93, and I visit her often, and make a point to get her views, wisdom and memories.
She said she called my Mom once and the pre-recorded "Please leave a message" on Mom's machine scared her to death. She thought Mama "had a man."
I recently completed a book of the letters written by my father in law to his wife from mid 1944 to spring of 1946. He was in World War II. Even tho he wasn't educated he conveyed a pretty accurate story about what he was experiencing. Priceless to his children and grandchildren.