While surfing YouTube, I came across walkaboutlanguage’s Germany vs. USA series of videos. The videos are created by a group of friends from Mississippi, San Francisco and Germany and in each episode they pick a topic and discuss the differences between the US and Germany. They just reached 2000 subscribers and are donating 5 cents per subscriber, or $100 to UNICEF’s Schools for Africa program. If they reach 3000 subscribers by March 1st, they’re going to double that amount to $200, so go subscribe to this interesting pair! I thought their video on the military and patriotism was especially fitting given the recent post I made on Germany after WWII and the interesting discussion that ensued in the comments. Here it is:
Video Wednesday: Germany vs USA – Military, Patriotism
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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Looks like we’re not the only ones with that kind of idea. Great video!
Phil As last blog post..Big Bro’s Watching Me
Hi,
You have been only partially correct. Some Germans do not know if they are patriots.
I am German and American. I have served in the Bundeswehr (Mountain Division) I was a Zeitsoldat.
I entered the army at free will. My father was 100% handicap from a head shot in WWII and I was accept from the military. I still did my duty. I was proud to wear the Uniform and to serve West-Germany.
I was then entering the Police Department in NY and was around for many big problems. I also was a volunteer Fire Fighter as whole Long Island was being served only by Volunteers.
I was proud of serving the US and I was a member of the Steuben Association which is for Police members who come even if it is several generations past from Germany.
So I have been proud to wear on both continents my countries Uniform and serve.
But yes when I was a soldier and we had heightened security alert and needed to stay in Uniform sometimes with loaded sidearm or when I did Ammunition and Explosive Transports through Bavaria we have been usually looked at, but the same is true for the soldiers coming home from Iraq. People look at them and sometimes with a smile sometimes with a frown!
My son served in Iraq and I am proud of him.
So I believe you can be a patriot without being a nationalist/racist.
Ask people what they really think in both countries you find both sides and have the question answered by a former soldier not by a civi…..
Just a different opinion and view!
Cheers
Gary