A. - It's cheaper and much easier to do video rather than film. A good service can transfer home movies (whether on film or videotape) onto a digital file. This file can then be cleaned up, edited, etc. If it's washed out, the contrast can sometimes be bumped up to show detail better; films that have lost red or green pigments can be color-corrected. You can add music, voice-over, captions, subtitles, intertitles, transitions, and even a scene-by-scene menu so that army buddies can look at that part while grandkids can look at wedding pics or whatever.
My husband is an excellent video editor, but would need to rent the transfer equipment if you have movies on 8mm, Super8, or 16mm. He can easily transfer videotape, whether it's VHS or compact. He's also a great cameraman if you want a specific place or event shot.
www.neptunebeachmedia.com
Since you're quite far north of us, you might want to hire a local cameraman to shoot the old homestead or whatever is pertinent to your story.
Condolences on the loss of your dad. I think it's wonderful you want to honor him.
Sincerely,
A.