Sarge-
Amen to what you said. It is unfortunate that these men who are now in their 80's like you guys, can now project a "Grandfatherly" image that fools many people. I am reminded of a story on one of my DVDS , told by a Jewish KZ inmate who's task it was to dress the SS camp commandant:
"Without the uniform, they were nothing! I saw him...standing there in his shorts, a mere mortal, but once the breeches, the tunic, the boots came on and he adjusted his cap..he became a Monster!"
For these guys there is no forgiveness. You ask forgiveness when you have insulted a man, or stolen his chickens, not when you have murdered his entire family, regardless of how much time has elapsed. My attitude about them is based on comparing interviews between your average private in the German Army and a Hauptmann in the SS....there is still an air of arrogance, even as Octegenarians. It is really unfortunate that I didn't start to learn the truth of what happened over there until I was already out of highscool. I am always talking to younger family members..Nephews, Nieces and etc., about the war and the Holocaust, because I am worried that it is not being taught in our schools, and to sound like a broken record...WWII is the single most important event in the 20th Century!
Dogdaddy 