I was but a wee lad of four years, but, ya' know, I vividly remember the ending of the war in Europe the following year. I had relatives in the war, and my mother kept the radio on the kitchen window sill on all the time, tuned to the news broadcasts of the day. I clearly remember the announcement that the war had ended, and her shouting that her brothers would be coming back alive!! Quite a memory for a five year old!!

I love the idea of the 21 gun salute from a vintage WWII gun. I think I'll head up to my youngest son's farm this afternoon and touch off my M1 Garand in a similar honor. A bit less than three clips. That should heat up the barrel more than it's been for some time.