Every veteran has a story.

They are stories that tell in one breath of brushes with death, massive destruction and fighting for survival. In the next they reveal touching memories of kindness and camaraderie.

On Sunday Sept. 14, The Ann Arbor News welcomed 86 World War II veterans and their families to its offices for an open house event that put storytelling at the forefront.

As the members of the Greatest Generation came together, they began sharing memories with each other, with their families and with us. In the 1940s. these men and women did their duty and returned home to start careers, marry, build houses and raise families. Most didn’t look back. Many kept what they had done and seen to themselves.

We could not capture every story in its entirety during the event, but The Ann Arbor News will continue to publish profiles of these incredible men and women over the next few months as part of MLive’s Michigan Honors project.

Here are snapshots of conversations Ann Arbor News reporters had with with seven of the veterans who attended our open house...