Thanks RushLake. I think I know just how you feel. My WW2 Dad is dead too. He didn't discuss the war, so except for the movies, the music, and of course photos and the few memories I have of him talking about it, I don't know much either.
My grandson is one year old, and I've just completed his First Year Photo Album by including a few pictures of my husband, his Grand Dad, taken in Viet Nam. I wanted him to know that his "BaBaw" was once a warrior, young, strong, and very brave.
We often forget that it is boys who do the actual fighting. The boys of 1776 were by in large just that--boys. My dear Dad was 19 years old when he talked his way into the Navy in 1942. He had poor vision and didn't even have to go. I grew up in an extended family where every uncle but one (who was too young) had enlisted (not drafted) and served in the "biggie" as my dad referred to it. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to ramble on. I feel bad that a lefty like Tom Borkaw had to be the one to write the book about what was truly one of "the greatest generations".