My experience as well. I’ve encountered quite a few old WWII battle veterans in my business and most of them have been reticent about their experiences, and those who have been more forthcoming, exceptionally modest. But one man sticks in my memory. He would frequently ramble in agonizing detail about battles, blood, the horror, the noise, with tears streaming down his face and a look of shock as if fresh from the battle. Poor guy was still tormented. And he rarely engaged in normal conversation, but when he was recounting- actually reliving those memories- it was surreal. That must have been 12 or so yrs ago now.
My father earned 2 PH’s and a Bronze Star in The Battle Of The Bulge. Although when he was alive he rarely spoke of that time or his honors, what I know of his medal qualifications (bravery in combat) has always made me proud to be his son. This Death March survivor surely has earned his decorations too, yet a few pieces of metal and ribbon seems so inadaquate for such devotion and sacrifice for my freedom!
I was able to FINALLY able to get my dad to talk about WWII with me. He is 86. He is a Navy veteran and flew F-4U Corsair’s during the war. I guess he figured that I would be able understand now that I am crowding 60. I had asked him about it for many years. He begged me not to go into the service. He told me that after what he, and my uncle’s went through that us kids shouldn’t have to go to war. My dad is the only one of his immedate family and friends who served that is still alive.