WWII story blog due 4/15

I really liked the structure of his writing. I liked how right away in the beginning he tells us that he is writing a story that hits close to home. In someways it makes the story more emotional to me, knowing that he was involved with a veteran. My grandpa was a pilot in WWII and he never talked about his time over there. I liked how it went back to the time it happened, and through chronological time. The Tiger was an interesting way to start the story. It would have been cool if he could have tied it in at the end. But I do like the end quote "by trailing off into nothingness and doubt."

I wonder what the story would be like if he didn't put his own personal story in at front? Would the story be lacking? How else could he have started the story??