Another thought on the subject of postwar memories and family traditions. Over time we all tend to forget some parts of our past and things get added to what we do remember. Plus, people who hear our 'war stories' don't focus on all the details, so when I hear the story retold, a lot has been changed. My analogy would be to a radio transmission, the signal being distorted and eventually lost over time and distance.

Here's a personal example. A few years ago I returned to my college and decided to drop in on my old fraternity house. A young man who happened to be the fraternity president greeted me and we talked about old times. He had heard stories from my era and wanted to know if they were true. Trying to be careful of any prior admission, I asked to hear his best story first. The general lines of events could be recognized, but [thankfully] names had been forgetten or confused over time [about twenty-five years]. I let him finish, smiled and asked if he'd like to hear what really happened. I had been involved in the incident.

Someone else who had been involved may have remembered events differently. I could go on, but my point is that family stories and traditions ought to be verified. I've learned to approach all of them respectfully, but with questions at every turn. Yes, that includes my own family and stories I've heard over the years.