CORIOLANUS ... A small bookend on your #4: As World War 2 raged and the US dithered (Republicans tried killing Lend-Lease as late as spring 1941), a half-brother of mine left his native US, traveled north and enlisted in the Royal Canadian Dragoons. Wearing the black beret and springbok badge, he definitely had himself a war. He had the shakes the rest of his life, but never questioned why an American should enlist in a Canadian outfit. "Longest undefended border in the world," he often said enthusiastically with a smile. I'm not glad he's dead now, but seeing this he might be.
Based on Bronze Age campfire stories.