re: Neat experience...met a WWII veteran at Sam's Club yesterday.

My great uncle was an amphibious transport driver and drove men/supplies onto Normandy Beach, although I believe this was after, although but not long after, D-Day.

He was also in the Pacific theatre and had multiple officer swords with him on the ship before he got home. Sadly the story get hazy in the years not since his passing but they were either stolen from him before getting home or he was somehow not allowed to bring them ashore.

Would've been some awesome souvenirs though

Many great men didn't come home so its always good to thank the ones who did and that are still around.