Beneath a Scarlet Sky. 7. If you/members of your book discussion group

[Carol]

7) If you/ members of your book discussion group/ family members lived through WWII, how do your recollections match the emotions that you are reading here and have your parents, grandparents, or great grandparents (if applicable) shared their WWII stories with you?

[Robin]

My grandfather was in WWII but as a navy sailor not a subject of the Holocaust thank goodness. He used to tell anyone who would listen about his times but I know there are many people from his generation who won't talk about all of the horrible things they saw if they were lucky enough to survive. I think a lot of what happened is realistic from other stories I've read but I didn't know as much from the perspective of what was going on in Italy during this time so it was interesting to read about how so many risked their lives to do what they felt was right

[Cindy]

My grandfather was in the Pacific during WWII, but he worked construction - building roads and bridges, I think. I don't know if he was ever near any battles. He died when I was 16 and I'm so sad that I never asked him about his experiences. I had a great-uncle who was a POW in Germany. My mom said he was very reluctant to talk about his experiences, but he did say several times that they were SO hungry. And these were just such young men! Pino's story really brought home how much the world sometime expects of young men.

[Chelsea]

My grandpa was also in WW2. But by the time he went to the Pacific the war was about over. He never saw combat. I did ask him stories about his service. I recorded them via audio and wrote them down.

ps I'm almost done with the book. I'll answer more questions when I finish.

[Barb]

My dad was a Merchant Marine during WWII. He worked on supply ships, so he didn't see any combat at all, but when I asked, the only things he would ever say about his time in the service were about things he and his buddies would do on leave. He said the rest he didn't really think we needed to know. (I do know he didn't like pineapple because that's about the only fresh fruit/vegetable he had during his Merchant Marine years.

[Chelsea]

I can see why Pino originally didn't want to talk to the author and share his story. Too many hard memories to relive.

[Carol]

As was studied and show my thoughts. My Dad too was in the Merchant Marines. Barb and I both share the same Dad. He was quite shy when it came to this.

[Angela]

Both my grandfathers served in WW2, but I don't know the details and it wasn't something they ever brought up. I don't know how they responded when or if adult family members (I was a kid) asked about it.