Even when I was in southern Germany, in 1975-1977, there was a LOT of talk and remeberance of the war. We taught many German war veterans.
My Dad, who was a naval officer in the PTO in combat in WW II, worked for Vought Aeronauticvs at the time, and he had to come over to Germany for two weeks on busineess. He got permission to spend a weekend with us. He drove around on an old opah bicycle and it was great. That Sunday he came to church and I translated for him. The German Stake President was visiting, who himself fought for the Bundeswehr. After the meeting, they met and this German man spoke good english so it was interesting hearing them talk about the war and their experiences. They had been enemies back then, but were now joined through Christ and were able to relate to one another. They have both passed on to the other side now.
My mother's only brother was killed over Germany in a B-17. He was the bombadier and the reports were that his aircraft took a 77mm AA round in the bombay a few seconds before they released the bombs. Completely obliterated the aircraft. They had two more missions before they finished.
They buried an empty casket back in Texas...but then, five yers later, a farmer found his remains in a field and he was sent home for a proper burial.
In southern Germany, all of the cities...all of them that I visited...down to about populations of 20,000 or so, had been virtually wiped off the map by the allied campaigns. They showed me pictures of the towns and they looked like they had been completely gutted. Given the density of the population there, you know a lot of people died. Each of those towns and cities now have a large hill in or near town, most of them beautifully landscaped parks with nice vistas, which are made of the rubble from World War II.
Of course we met a few people who hated our guts simply because we were Americans and because they had lost loved ones. But there were not that many. I always tried to remain calm and empathetic, and usually it made a difference when I told them that my mother's only brother, my uncle, whose father himself was a native German who had come to America before Wolrd War I, was killed as I have described. Had one of those people brea down and hug me and say he was sorry.
Lots of memories regarding those experiences.
And sure, the next time we pass down I-15 on our way to San Diego (which in 2 years we will be doing annually because my son in law who is career Navy (who will be stationed down there for a number of years), along with my daughter and three of my grandsons, we will make a point of swinging by and seeing you.
God's speed.
Nur 72.