My grandfather was in the RCAF during WW2. he flew supply and other missions in various areas of operations.
Africa, Burma, India, and east and west coasts of Canada.
When he died there was a gentleman sitting ast his funeral , older man witha strange acent, I had never met him, but turned out he was a former German Airforce pilot, who flew for the other side in Africa. He was a Nazi Officer, card carrying member . He and my grandfather became friends many years later. He came to my grandfather's funeral out of respect for another flier who had past on. So I guess old grudges do die and new found respect does happen.
I always wondered how hard it would be for the other side to hold a Memorial Day or Remembrance Service knowing the past losses and the course of history. I think some honours and respect are lost for the losers of a war, and that tanishes the memory of the fallen of that side. Winners are heros, losers are chumps.
I feel for losers on both sides, The losers are the fallen and they are buried in strange lands far away from their families, some have no graves, no markers just a location in the vast oceans of the world.
My grandfather was E.J. Sparks , Captain Retired Canadian Forces
RCOC, RCAF, RCNR,. When he died I got his metals, no exciting ones, just the Burma Star, Africa star and clasp, various UN metals, CD with clasp, and the I was there metals, I would never consider wearing them, I would never let anyone else wear them. They now mine, and going to be put ina shadow box frame with his service record and picture someday.
!
