Howard Irvin sat in a dark room at United Church of Sun City last week, watching images of war projected onto a screen. Irvin, a Sun City West resident, was there for the church's screening of Ken Burns' documentary "The War," during which the church invited the community to come and watch the movie as well as to share their wartime stories.

"I did not serve in World War II. I'm a bit too young for that," Irvin said. "But I've known many people who did. And not just that war but the other big ones, too. I like to be a part of things like this whenever I can because it helps keep what happened fresh in my mind. With Veterans Day at hand, we need to remember the sacrifices they made."

The eight-part class series on "The War" began in late October and will run through Nov. 19. Last Wednesday, the event kicked off with a taped interview with local Army veteran Paul Pfeffer.

Pfeffer, who served as an ordnance company commander and now lives in Peoria, was on hand to answer questions and to showcase some of his favorite memorabilia. Included in his collection are an artillery shell from the European Theater, a sword made with Damascus steel from the African Theater and the knife of a German officer. The prize possession, however, was Pfeffer's copy of Yank Magazine, a weekly publication by the Army put out during World War II.

"It is a copy of the very last issue," Pfeffer said. "And I've been offered a lot of money for it. I'll never get rid of it, though."

Ken Burns' "The War," a 15-hour documentary over seven years in the making, tells the story of World War II from the personal perspectives of people from four towns: Waterbury, Conn., Mobile, Ala., Sacramento, Calif., and Luverne, Minn. While visitors to United Church did not watch the documentary in its entirety, Irvin said he appreciated the effort.

"You can't have people in here for 15 hours, you know, but the fact that they did this at all was great, and I really appreciate it," Irvin said. "No matter how many books I read or movies I watch, I feel like I always learn something new."

Irvin said he, like many of his generation, wishes "honoring the veterans" was something that happened more than one day a year.

"I won't say the younger generation doesn't care, because of course they do," Irvin said. "It is their peers who are fighting and dying now. But society in general, you know? I wish we all would do more to take care of our fighting men and women."

Jeff Dempsey may be reached at 623-876-2531 or jdempsey@yourwestvalley.com.

If You Go

Where: Bee Hive room, United Church of Sun City, 11250 N. 107th Ave.

When: 12:30-2 p.m., Nov. 12, 18 and 19. Sessions will include entertainment videos from the war years and 45-60 minute film segments from "The War" followed by discussion.

Information: 623-933-0058