Good luck on this crazy adventure! I tried to build one during the winter holidays but ended up just making an arcade controller for my PC/Play station 3. Below are some of the best sites that i've found for building your project.
For the actual cabinet, you might want to check these links: text tutorial: chris.polymathic.net/cabinet/index.shtml video tutorial: joystiq.com/2007/12/27/how-to-build-a-ma... For the controls, you will definitely want to purchase the pieces from lizardlickamusements, I have done great business with them. Their shipping is great and the parts are very high quality. lizardlick.com Most of the information for arcade stick building, feel free to visit the shoryuken forums.It's a great and helpful community that will help you.
forums.shoryuken.com Below is a picture of the arcade stick I built. Yes, that is a tupperware container.
This link will lead you to an article that deals specifically to your situation. electronics.howstuffworks.com/how-to-tec....
I looked into this years ago but opted not to pursue it. This site has a great article detailing how the author did it: tmsoft.com/article-arcade.htm.
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.