Tom Weir has traveled all over the world. He has lived in Turkey, Vietnam and Syria. But when he finally retired, he came home to the States.

"My wife and I were living in Turkey, but I was homesick for the States so we came back," Weir said.

They settled in Edwardsville, Ill., where, from 1970-78, Weir had taught English composition at Southern Illinois University.

"It is a lovely town," he said.

After his wife passed away, Weir relocated once more. This time he moved "home to Missouri."

Born in western Missouri in 1925, he was drafted in 1943. It was then that his love of traveling began.

"I always felt kind of guilty because I enjoyed Italy so much. I didn't like the fighting, but I loved the country," he said.

While in Italy, Weir was stationed in Anzio, Tarquinia, Naples, Florence and Rome.

"We were sent to Anzio by way of North Africa," he said. In Anzio, he was separated at the beachhead. "I found out real quick why we were told to always stay in pairs. I ended up very much alone."

In Naples, Weir remembered seeing people going through garbage cans to find something to eat. "We shared with them what we could," he said.

In Rome, he recalled being some of the first U.S. troops to arrive in the city.

In Tarquinia, he was wounded and sent to two local hospitals for treatment. "The doctor at the second hospital said, 'Why didn't they sew you up and take the bullet out.'" He laughed at the memory.

"My brother was in Italy with the Air Force," Weir said. "But he didn't like it the way I did. After the war he said, 'I didn't leave anything there and I'm not going back to get it.'"

Weir did go back. In fact, his wife was born in Italy (though he met her in Turkey), so he went back often to see family .

"I've always loved Italy, but I like St. Louis, too. I guess I've always considered this area home," he said.