As a battlefield veteran, I'm not a big fan of plunder, which I define as "stealing the personal property of the citizens of the enemy nation, including that of dead soldiers which rightfully belongs to their heirs".
I draw a distinction between that and "taking trophies", which I define as "capturing for ones self the enemy's military equipment".
I have a small box of stuff I brought back from Iraq in 1991. No weapons, no personal items, probably very little intrinsic value. I wish it had been legal to bring back a weapon...
I understand the place of war trophies. And difference between loot and trophies. And trust me, as a veteran myself, I'd grab an AK-47 or AK-74 and put it into use if required, in the field. And I have the training to do that.
And I wouldn't mind owning one. Especially one captured. But personally, I wouldn't carry it home. Even if authorized.
Just my weirdness. I wouldn't take a flag home from the field.
I actually purchased the CCCP shoulder patch that adorns my 'love me' wall.
No reflection on the good men that did well and brought home trophies.
/johnny
It was, radar mailed a jeep home. LOL