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alanint · 02-16-2009, 10:32 AM

If I were you I would sit your Grandfather down and tell him you are very interested in his experiences and you wish to record them for family history, which you in turn, will pass down to your decendants. This may help him to open up.
A good technique I have seen used is to ask him about the men he served with. A vet will often be reluctant to talk about himself but will open up to discuss the friends he served with. The more information you gather this way the more you will piece together your Grandfather's service history.
If you become aware of anybody locally who served with your Grandfather this is also a good place to start. They will be happy to talk about him and not themselves.
You are uniquely priviledged to still have your Grandfather around so don't lose any time in working on him respectfully in order to prreserve that family history.

Good luck

02-16-2009, 10:32 AM	#3
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,917 Times in 1,193 Posts	If I were you I would sit your Grandfather down and tell him you are very interested in his experiences and you wish to record them for family history, which you in turn, will pass down to your decendants. This may help him to open up. A good technique I have seen used is to ask him about the men he served with. A vet will often be reluctant to talk about himself but will open up to discuss the friends he served with. The more information you gather this way the more you will piece together your Grandfather's service history. If you become aware of anybody locally who served with your Grandfather this is also a good place to start. They will be happy to talk about him and not themselves. You are uniquely priviledged to still have your Grandfather around so don't lose any time in working on him respectfully in order to prreserve that family history. Good luck