[Soterik]

+1 on the Grandfather... in my case it's my Dad. I have coffee with him every day, and discuss saving the world. Many times I get him to somewhat open up on those days. He was a medic in the 41st div, 162nd Inf, 1st Battalion, A company. He saw action in Salamaua, Nassau Bay, Mt. Tambu, Hollandia, etc.

He recently told me that he saw his best friend get killed right in front of him in Salamaua. He still puts flowers on his grave every Memorial Day here in Seattle (just found out about that also).

I would like to visit some of those places mentioned in Europe, as I read about a lot of it when I was young ("Escape from Colditz" was one of my favorites). Also would like to go to the Pacific to New Guinea and the Phillipines if possible.

The closest I have come was a trip with dad in the mid 80's to Australia to see some of the places he was stationed back in ww2. We managed to find the old pub he was in when he "jumped ship" in Sydney (fairly long story).

Eric