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Originally Posted by Fish
Quote:
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Originally Posted by CCIP
Ah, there's hope yet. In any case, my thoughts with him & family!
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My thoughts are more with the victims of his deeds. Those where on my side. |
It would be rude of me not to consider them, of course, but I think it's also rude towards him to not consider the nature of war and military values.
Besides, 'our side' and 'his deeds' are quite relative. Topp was a high-ranking Bundesmarine officer and an important representative in NATO forces after the war and during the Cold War. Which, ironically, for my ancestors would also be the 'other side', but I digress.
I don't think there's any doubt that Topp was an honorable man and an officer with a sense of duty. I think it's rude to differentiate sides when it comes to remembering veterans like this. 'My side' or 'their side' - they're all part of our collective memory.