: Soldier or Criminal?Apr 23 2005, 11:45 AM

After reading an article in Washington Post called “Japan Honors War Dead and Opens Neighbors’ Wounds” I pondered as to what my own views on this issue are. Many Jews, Gypsies, and other civilians were exterminated by nazi-soldiers during WWII and it would be a shock for me to learn of, say, a normal Jew honoring Nazis. So is it ethical for others to honor nazi-soldiers or their supporters? But Russian soldiers have a lot of blood on their hands, but many (including myself) honor them for saving the world from fascism. A good soldier does what he is told without questioning the orders. Such a soldier can save many lives… So where do we draw a line? Soldiers taking part in a massacre are criminals, no question about it. But when does a fight turns into a massacre? In the modern world, the line is too thin to notice for a layperson. Was Hiroshima a massacre and pilots dropping the bomb murderers? Were Japanese pilots taking part in the Pearl Harbor confrontation murderers, even though Pearl Harbor is a military port?
I know a few people whose parents were nazi soldiers during WWII (even current Pope has questionable connections). They feel ashamed for what Nazis did to my ancestors, but I cannot ask them not to respect their parents. I personally disregard people who disrespect their roots and thus I can only hope that they are not proud of that part of their history…