This is where MVVM can really help - you've already got a data binding to your ViewModel presumably from looking at your XAML.
If you want to update bound items within the ItemTemplate you'll need to update the bindings as you can't refer to instances of such items by name. (Because you can't have multiple items with the same name.) In the Click event handler you can access the viewmodel instance via the sender and manipulate the properties there.
I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.