Although she was very young, she can also recall playing on bombsites and sensing the stress of her mother as her father fought in the war.

Being a singer-songwriter, it seemed natural for her to record a series of songs that conveyed the emotion of the 1940s. So, a number of years ago, that’s what she did.

And every year around this time, as people’s hearts and memories turn to the wars of the past and present, West’s three-song album about the war seems to surface, finding its way onto the radio and into CD players.

“It’s very satisfying to me. It’s a good feeling when someone’s appreciative of what you’ve done,” West said.

‘Normandy 1944: A Musical Tribute’ contains three songs written from a woman’s perspective entitled ‘While You’re Away,’ ‘Tomorrow’ and ‘I’ll be Waiting for You.’

The lyrics recall the sadness of families separated during wartime, and the ‘40s-style melodies bring to mind train station goodbyes, women working on the homefront and soldiers dying in battle.

“It was very hard for the mothers, sisters and daughters who were waiting at home every day not knowing what was going to happen,” West said.

Recording the songs was her way of acknowledging what these women went through, she said.

“I felt like I was giving something back.”

The album was released by The War Amps as part of its Military Heritage Series and is available for purchase through the charitable organization.

The song ‘Tomorrow’ speaks about being able to face the future — even an uncertain one — when there’s someone you love beside you.

West said she was given a poignant reminder of that when her sister was battling cancer and said she couldn’t have gotten through it without the support of West and other loved ones.

Normandy 1944 is a project West is particularly proud of because of the lives it has touched.

Older folks have come to her and told her they’ve been moved to tears.

And younger generations listen and are able to envision something they’ve been fortunate to never have experienced — one of West’s main purposes in writing the songs.

“I’d like to reach young people… (so they can) get some sense of how horrendous it must have been.”

In 2002, West was presented the commemorative Golden Jubilee Medal for the songs, as well as several awards for the accompanying music videos.

“It was a wonderful honour,” said West, adding she wishes her parents were still alive to hear the songs.

West is an experienced vocalist and has covered styles ranging from country to Dixieland to jazz. She’s a member of the Canadian Country Hall of Fame and has performed with such greats as the Everly Brothers, Johnny Cash and Kitty Wells.

She continues to perform with big swing-style orchestras.

In addition to her vocal talents, West is an actor, sculptor and a painter.

To purchase a copy of the CD, visit www.waramps.ca/military/resource_kit.html or call 1-800-250-3030.

Stephanie Hounsell can be reached at sthiessen@miltoncanadianchampion.com .