I live in the United States. I think the Americans only use the term when talking about their significant others, usually. It is not used to much over here.
Occasionally, I will hear it put with something like team mate or, uh, that is about all I can remember for now. I think it sounds adorable when I hear it used on television by that crocadile hunter man or on those British shows. It sounds so friendly.
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.