upcountry and crossed the windy prairie to a place called langdon, north dakota. that's where the major was from. this is where he grew up, where he became an unusual young man. >> he was quiet. he wasn't one that was dating. he didn't have a lot of friends. >> brenda strong is david's older sister. >> he wasn't into sports. he just was introspective. >> but his mother shirley says david always knew exactly what he wanted to do. >> i am going to be an army man. that's what he said. >> how old was he when he first started saying that? >> maybe 6, 7 years old. >> by 19, david had enlisted. he was eventually stationed in upstate new york. and that's where he met joan. >> he was funny. he had a sense of humor. he was extremely shy. >> david was different than the other guys how? >> oh, because he treated me a lot different. he treated me like i had value. >> which was something wonderful and new for joan.