very cool, in my job I have met a b17 bombadier, and a pony pilot. These guys are so cool to talk to, but they are getting few and far between 
When ever you get a chance to visit a veteran, be sure to ask a few questions and then be quiet and them talk. That is all I had to do with both of my grandfathers regarding WWII. My mother's dad was a pilot in the PTO (see my sig line). My father's dad was a was a courier [jeep jockey] in an arty unit in the ETO, he loved to tell stories of the "dumb Major who almost got me killed ordering me to take a short cuts through unsecured areas". They appreciated me asking them questions, but there is a line that should not be crossed by those of us who were not there. If the information or experience is offered then listen up and burn it in to your memory and get it written down. One specific example of this is my good friend's grandfather was in the 3rd wave on Omaha beach, he was an engineer. Curt wanted to show him my M1 Garand and see what he did and said. Upon unsheathing it from the sock his eyes got wide and a huge smile appeared across his face. He spoke with affection of the rifle. We heard how he loved the 1903 Springfield in basic training and hated getting these "damned M1's covered in grease" when waiting in line to board a ship for the UK. They cleaned them all up and learned the basics from the deck of the passenger ship, then fired them in drills once they got to England, etc etc. The very next thing he said was "It kept me alive while I was in a foxhole with a dead German who was shaking like he was trying to dance out of the foxhole". Then he back up and said he didnt think it would fire after dragging it through all that sand, but it did. His grandpa went on for another 10-12 minutes just talking about things and experiences of that day. His story is much like what we've already seen and read about: lost gear in water, didnt know anyone around him, didnt know where to go, lots of dead and wounded, unbelievable noise, scared senseless, etc. My friend was amazed that he spoke of anything because all ever told any of the kids or grand kids was that he built bridges or moved stuff out of roadways.
One of the coolest things I have in my possession is a tape that my grandpa (pilot) made for me telling me an over-view of his experiences in WWII. Hearing the details of his crash, the "ack-ack", the naval fleets, the heat and humidity, flying off course-getting lost-landing on 2 engines, etc, etc. I hear is voice today and I am still amazed. Oh... and btw... I lost him 10 years ago today.
