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Veterans

In reply to the discussion: Was my dad wrong? [View all]

JustAnotherGen

(34,342 posts)
5. I don't know
Mon Feb 21, 2022, 11:48 AM
Feb 2022

My dad (Officer, Green Beret) had a tremendous amount of respect for the Koreans and Vietnamese.

But - he hated the Russians. HATED them.

My mom's dad (WW2 US Soldier), her mom's dad (my great grandfather - WW 1 french officer) and her step grandfather were absolutely HOSTILE to Germans when visiting us in Weisbaden in the 70's.

I think when I look at the three of them - it's the difference between knowing people LIKE the enemy (Montagnards - as an example - my dad lived with them and trained them) vs living in a trench for a few years, or entering a concentration camp at the end of the War. Or being at the Nuremberg trials as a Military Physician / Witness.

Familiarity does not breed contempt - it allows us to see the enemy as they are.

Funny though - my mom's dad didn't hold that 'hatred' for the Japanese. I think he thought they were noble - and his guilt for the H-Bomb might have been in play there.

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0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

Was my dad wrong? [View all] Lydiarose Feb 2022 OP
I've always said that a war is never over until the last man that fought in it has died Walleye Feb 2022 #1
Well said JustAnotherGen Feb 2022 #6
Same attitude to Germans? ret5hd Feb 2022 #2
It is all in the eyes I reckon. nt DURHAM D Feb 2022 #4
See my post below JustAnotherGen Feb 2022 #7
My Pappaw had a German last name underpants Feb 2022 #13
He personally fought the Japanese Lydiarose Feb 2022 #14
it is all impossibly complicated. NewHendoLib Feb 2022 #3
I don't know JustAnotherGen Feb 2022 #5
Your dad's hatred of Russians Lydiarose Feb 2022 #25
Some vets have been able sarisataka Feb 2022 #8
People are a product of their times. Of course we tend to judge them all Chainfire Feb 2022 #24
Interesting take Lydiarose Feb 2022 #26
Given his experiences, whathehell Feb 2022 #9
I have been known Busterscruggs Feb 2022 #10
You don't see the difference? ret5hd Feb 2022 #16
I have stayed far Busterscruggs Feb 2022 #17
But the diff between what/how a person says, does, acts... ret5hd Feb 2022 #18
I guess Busterscruggs Feb 2022 #21
And that's the same as being "caught off guard" by someone being Asian? ret5hd Feb 2022 #22
and many who served got over stopdiggin Feb 2022 #11
War changes who people. Having said that, racism is racism. LakeArenal Feb 2022 #12
Yes Effete Snob Feb 2022 #15
There was a lot of anti-German and anti-Japanese propaganda produced during WWII No Vested Interest Feb 2022 #19
Some Native Americans today despise whites Kaleva Feb 2022 #20
He is not the only one, for sure. Chainfire Feb 2022 #23
You have had some good answers DashOneBravo Feb 2022 #27
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