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.

In this episode of The Dillard Files, Thurl walks us through the whirlwind of his entry into military life. From registering and physicals to deciding between the Army, Navy, or Marines, it’s a story full of mishaps and memories. He shares about the bus breakdown, getting his first military haircut, and wrestling with oversized uniforms at Camp Robinson. The journey continues with basic training at Ft. Mead, riding the train to Camp Wallis, Texas, and a bout with the measles. Throw in a stolen clothes mystery, furlough delays, and final orders to England, and you’ve got a vivid portrait of a young soldier on the move.

On this episode of The Dillard Files stitches together a tapestry of family voices, each offering a vivid memory from a different era. Vinos remembers Grandpa and the Model T; Argie recounts early electric lights on Pilot Knob and sawing adventures with Uncle Delmer. Thurl reflects on cross-country mishaps, shooting a rooster, and the legendary Jack Dempsey (the rooster, not the boxer). From horse stories and kraut cooking to farm schedules and an overseas motorcycle crash, this episode blends down-home humor, hardship, and heart with tales that span the hills of Arkansas to the barracks of Germany.