Veterans were honored Wednesday for their selfless service, but while those men and women were off fighting for our freedoms, their families watched the struggles of war through a different perspective.  A group of South Dakota 'war kids' met in Deadwood to share their stories in honor of those who served.

Lin Jennewein didn't fight in World War II, but she can tell you all about the battles at home during that time. She spent her childhood in Igloo, South Dakota, one of the state's first ammunition depots.

"I lived in a place that was surrounded with barbed wire and had all brown buildings and I couldn't go to school there.  There was no school when we moved there, so I had to get on a big brown army bus and go to Edgemont," Jennewein said.

Jennewein's father went away to serve in the Army. He's since passed away, which is why she's hoping to keep his story alive long after she's gone.

"To live on an Army base, I thought might be somewhat different and it is, and I wanted to get that story out there," Jennewein said.

That's just one of 28 stories in "War Kids: The Littlest Generation." Rapid City author Ed Martley says it's a tribute to all who served in the war through the eyes of their children.

"My generation, us war kids are the last people who will have live memories. When we're gone, that's it. Nobody else is going to remember," Martley said.

Martley says sharing memories of the greatest generation on a day that honors veterans made perfect sense.

"It's kind of a debt of gratitude. They took care of us when we were little kids, and now this is the best way I can think of that I can pay back," Martley said.

A way for the children of those who fought to keep our country free to say thank you so many years later.