'Mollie's War' comes to life at St. Charles Library

The Huntley meeting room at the St. Charles Library was filled with World War II memorabilia as more than 50 people gathered Wednesday to hear about "Mollie's War," the story of Mollie Weinstein Schaffer, a member of the Women's Army Corps (WAC).

The WACs were the first women other than nurses to serve overseas during World War II.

Northbrook author Cyndee Schaffer wrote "Mollie's War," a book in which she's drawn upon a series of vivid letters written by her mother to her family during the war.

Weinstein Schaffer, who served in medical intelligence, signed up for the war in September 1943 after a cousin was killed and two friends had enlisted.

Pictures of Weinstein Schaffer moved across the screen Wednesday as Schaffer talked about her mother's adventures, from basic training in Florida to her return in September 1945.

Weinstein Schaffer, who was born in Detroit, later lived in Chicago and Wheeling. She died in 2012.