On this Memorial Day we are hearing stories of life and death on the battlefield, in the words of the people who were there.

It's because of an innovate project called Witness to War whose goal is to capture the the oral histories of combat veterans and preserve them for future generations.

CNN's Fredricka Whitfield talks to the group's founder, and a World War Two vet who has recorded his extraordinary tale of survival.

A brother and sister find a very touching poem, presumably written by their father while he was serving in WWII. Sgt. James Lenihan came face to face with the enemy... a young German Soldier. Sgt. Lenihan shot and killed the soldier. The next day, he wrote his feelings in a poem. Lenihan talks about how he held the hand of the dying soldier as he drew his last breath... and the heartbreak it brought him.

The poem is published on the Defense Centers of Excellence website and has received dozens of blog responses from military members both past and present... from all around the world.

Join TJ Holmes weekend mornings in the CNN Newsroom, beginning 6am ET/ 3am PT.