The scene you describe between an-ex Nazi soldier and a US paratrooper is not uncommon. The best description of this emotion that I have seen was written by Ned Beach in his Introduction to Herbert Werner’s Iron Coffins. I do not know or understand the reaction. (I have never been in combat, or even in military service.) But from what I have read, it does not seem a likely basis for reducing war. It seems to take years to achieve – not “yesterday.” And it is selective: when Beach wrote his Introduction, he was a Cold War sub commander, and it does not seem to have influenced him to cut his Soviet counterparts any slack.
Visualizing World Peace sounds all hip and New Age-y, but it doesn’t address the problems that cause people. in great numbers, to want to kill those they see as different, to take what they have or to prevent others from taking from them. The roots of the problem lie in other areas, and feeling good is not a substitute for addressing the realities of economic, political, or ideological conflict. Back in the 70s, I was a small part of that great movement that ended the Viet Nam War. Ending that war saved many lives, brought immense suffering to many others, and did nothing to change the mindset of either my country or the rest of the world in any lasting way.
BTW, you mention that “...I'll never forget all of the boys died for my freedom.” Are you speaking of the American, the German, or both? Because, back on June 6, 1944, both would have told you that that was what they were doing. From all I have read, I don’t think anyone goes to war believing that the cause they are fighting for is wrong.
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