This discussion of the fine Eric Bogle songs leads me to ask a question. Is The Great War remembered THAT much more in OZ than it is in the US or do they just have better songs?

I suppose we could chalk it up to the US's late entrance into the War .. that Americans aren't as haunted by that War as your average Australian or UKer family is. Does anyone agree that this is it?

My grandparents were all children during the Great War, so their memories of it were always vague. I had some great-uncles who took part, but they were so much older than my Grandfather; I never knew them and my dad barely knew them. Since my parents were children during WWII.. same deal. Viet Nam had a more direct impact on our lives since my Dad was in danger of being reactivated and I had an 'uncle' die there (he was engaged to my aunt). However, for some reason I became fascinated and horrified by WWI when I was in High School and started studying up on the music, art and theater of the time.

So.. for the American Mudcatters who are older than I am.. was WWI a big deal in you families or is mine typical?