Around 20 years ago, I got to meet one of my childhood idols.
General Robert L. Scot was signing books at a historical society meeting with the proceeds going to the museum at Warner Robbins AFB.
One question I got to ask him is how he felt about the Japanese pilots he fought against. It was clear his attitude had changed as he said “they were fighting for their country just as I was mine”.
I was surprised to learn the region in Germany where my ancestors came from was the same one my father fought in during WWII. I asked him if he saw any cousins. He said he didn’t but he was looking for them.
Boxers invariably bond together after a boxing match is over, sharing respect for each other and the guts to fight. (And they share a contempt for the audience who didn’t, but just sat there yelling).