Admiration vs. Glorification

Somehow time and distance has caused us to forget the concept of war trophies. It was a popular hobby among US GI's to collect a luger--not because of a secret adoration of Adolph and crew--but they are cool souveniers (sp?). Nazis strutting around saluting each other in fancy uniforms were entertainment worthy of ridicule, not admiration. What German elites admired in daggers and fancy accoutrements, we picked up like trading cards. Conquering soldiers accumulated these trophies because of triumph over the bad guys. A collected trophy is a symbol of victory over the bad guys and a curiosity that reminds one of historic events and provides tangible evidence of those events. They are not symbols of admiration to me but the symbols of victory and curious novelties.


The uniforms, weapons, flags, and symbols of the 3rd Reich tell the story of vanity, culture of personality, and self-aggrandizement. Goering's hobby of uniform design is a great example. Hitler's photos of himself practicing expressions for speeches is another. Contrast that with The US GI uniform and style--practical and effective--get it done, do the right thing, pull together, work hard-play hard. Not surprising the losers had fancy stuff and curiosities aplenty--entertaining for collectors but in no way supportive or admiring the fools who adopted them as a system and culture--exactly the opposite. What the Nazis wasted on decoration and fanciness, we poured into victory.


dm