Ed Rossman, 60, “hopes to God” that his grandchildren never go to war. Yet multiple times a week, Rossman returns to the battlefield, sometimes in Normandy, sometimes in Incheon and sometimes in Iraq, this time equipped with a pair of dice and decades of board game strategy to back him. Rossman plays historical wargames – board games based on real military theater –– and has been for more than 50 years. He remembers first being captured by a large Civil War-inspired display as a 15 year-old. This setup, matched with an interest in the military and military history, launched a 26 year career with the U.S. Army and a lifelong love for wargaming. “We shouldn’t ignore history,” said Rossman. “It’s OK to learn history through games and not glorify it… it offers a way to teach more people who might not pay attention to it otherwise.” After sustaining severe injuries while deployed in Iraq (Rossman did not specify his injuries but is still being treated for effects today), Rossman was forced to retire. He said he is still unable to work today. Rossman holds firm that wargaming does not glorify battle. The veteran, who now uses the painting, model-making and the gameplay of wargaming to distract himself from continued pain, said that the hobby does not inspire violence, but instead provides him and others a means of teaching the next generation about the heroics, the tragedies and the harsh realities of warfare.