Well, FDR was still the pres when I was hatched, but I was born 3 months after D Day, so I don't recall a whole lot. We sure owe GI Joe and Rosie the Riveter. I find it a fascinating war, with battles which will be written about as long as mankind lives.
My dad was lucky... a surgeon stationed in Riverside, Ca for the duration. The docs on his base were constantly expecting to be sent to the Pacific, but somehow, something was written on Dad's file which gave him a permanent exemption to overseas duty. I don't recall what was written (and I 'm not sure if he will, either), but apparently the handwriting was bad, or something, and the personnel guy just kept Dad stateside. Whew.
I recall seeing ration books, but only after the fact. You're right, it involved everybody. I hope they get the DC monument built in time for your friend to visit. Unfortunately, my kids don't know a whole lot about the war; there doesn't seem to be a great deal of emphasis on it anymore in school. I guess that's what happens 60 years after an event..it just becomes another war we fought, in between depressions and civil rights. The best I was able to do was show them some movies, like Longest Day and Midway.
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