In the Final episode of The Dillard Files, we dive into the grittiest part of Thurl’s time in the military. From sleeping in a barn and marching for days in the freezing cold to surviving with mumps in Paris, this chapter paints a raw portrait of World War II life. He recounts sleeping in caves, building foot bridges over the Isar and Rhine Rivers, and guarding 35 prisoners while journeying through Belgium. There are moments of fleeting comfort—like a short return home—and moments of heartbreak, including news of a drowning, President Roosevelt’s death, and the loss of his brother-in-law. This is Thurl’s war through his eyes—unfiltered, unforgettable, and deeply human.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Bmk8TWKB8rp9O9dzUB3yPjPs8ekDqBYw5jkl4TVxp2g/edit?usp=drivesdk