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We were very close to my wife's grandfather. He passed several years ago and took with him much of his experience of D-Day. He did attend the 50th Anniversary (the first time he had been back to France) and was a little more forthcoming afterwards. He was quite reticent about the mission and many of his stories were from stateside.

When asked about his experience in Europe, he would usually say something like "We weren't there to be tourists." and go on to light-heartedly steer the conversation into another direction.

After his death we were able to fill in some details through his letters to his wife (and yet-to-be-seen baby daughter [my mother-in-law])written from a hospital bed during a lengthy recovery period.

He was a young man sent into inconceivably difficult and horrific situations and did not emerge unscathed. He was one of the most optimistic and good-natured people I have ever met. His faith in God, love for his family, his country, and his fellow man effused from him and was shared with all. I think of him, the others that were not as fortunate, and those who serve on this day. May God bless.

That's something. You saying that reminded me of a friend of my parents that passed away about 12 years ago, John Andrews. REALLY neat man, they'd play cards, hearts mostly, for hours on weekends and I'd play and listen to them all talk and I remember one time clearly the war and Europe came up, and my Dad would talk about his experiences in Vietnam and John his in Europe. He was an M-4 Sherman Tank gunner. My Dad said something like if he ever wanted to go back and revisit the places he was in the war. And I remember John said, "H**l no! It was a pathetic f*****g mess! And then being shot at by tanks! I have no d**n interest in going back there." Then my Dad said, "Well John, they've cleaned it up since then you know?" ;) And John said "I don't give a s**t. Still don't want to go back. Be my luck I'd go back and some old kraut would decide to take up his old hobbies, and there I am without a tank." :) It was really funny. He had some very colorful stories. :) I bet it was similar to that with your wife's grandfather. I'm sorry he passed away. They are easily one of the most amazing of America's generation, MAYBE second only to the Civil War and Revolutionary War veterans. EVERYONE should, if they haven't already, sit and talk to a veteran of WWII that saw a decent amount of action and get their thoughts and listen to their stories. It is literally talking to a legend and getting first hand accounts of the most pivotal world changing war in history.