A Common Purpose collects personal stories and first-hand accounts of the World War II era as experienced by the residents of the retirement community Brookhaven at Lexington. These narratives cover a broad range of subjects that include key battles, reminiscences of the home front, flight from Europe, top secret code-breaking, and women's roles during the war. Told from the varied perspectives of the participants as they remember the war years - whether from childhood, adolescence, or early adulthood - A Common Purpose is a moving and thoughtful set of reflections on a pivotal time in American history. This book project is the product of a remarkable self-organized community of retirees and members of "the greatest generation," and includes seventy-two stories by sixty-nine authors from Brookhaven at Lexington. "What is often implied but left unsaid about the country during World War II is the spirit of unity and determination...They did essential work in the defense industry, volunteered for the Red Cross, or as plane spotters and air raid wardens, helped entertain soldiers, and grew victory gardens. Even children had a role; they bought savings bond stamps, helped with scrap metal drives, collected cans and newspapers. This was everyone s war and everyone wanted to do whatever needed to be done." - From the Preface by editor Nancy Hubert Part 1: War on the Horizon - Part 2: Stranded Americans - Part 3: War in Europe - Part 4: Women in the Service - Part 5: Winning the War at Home - Part 6: The Childrens' War - Part 7: Fighting in the Pacific - Part 8: Still Preparing for War - Part 9: War Is Hell Contributors (alphabetical order by last name) : Helen C. Aronson, Diana M. Bailey, Harry Baldwin, Eleanor Baldwin, Sam Berman, Mary L. Bundy, Norine Casey, Hanna Friedenstein Chandler, Will Cochran, Robert Coquillette, Doris Eyges, Rosemary Fitzgerald, Harry Foden, Florence Wallach Freed, Richard L. Gardner, Eva Gil, David Gil, Richard Gilbert, Ed Gilfix, Thorne Griscom, Frederick L. Hafer, Mary Stuart Hafer, Jean Hall, Henry Hall, Susan Haller, George Hanford, Phyllis Hinsey, Nancy Hubert, Hamilton R. James, Joan Keenan, Charles B. Ketcham, Barbara Kirchheimer, Eleanor Lane, Cliff Larson, Franklin A. Lindsay, Janet Linn, R. B. McAdoo, Kathryn McCarthy, Miriam McCue, William F. Pounds, Robert Preyer, Al Quinzani, Barbara Rediker, Bob Rediker, John R. Roberts Jr., Janice Rittenburg Rossbach, Leonard Rothman, Tom Sheridan, Mary T. Simonds, John C. Simons, Anne M. Smiddy, June Odbert Smith, Robert Solow, George B. Starkey, Nancy Sweezy, Lilly Wolffers Szonyi, Lucien Theriault, Chankey Touart, Mary Lou Touart, Liz Toupin, Ed Townsley, Florence Trefethen, Albert D. Ullman, Jacqueline Villars, Charles Vivian, Allen C. West, Marnie Wengren, Heidi White, Benjamin T. Wright Brookhaven at Lexington is a nonprofit lifecare community dedicated to enriching the lives of its residents.