One of the things I realized was how Hitler and Mussolini thought they were the best, all-powerful and invincible, only eventually to be whipped by the Allies. Now I know never to think I am better than everyone else and act so superior. Something else I saw was how much other countries suffer because one country became all-powerful. I found out about how taxing the war was on the nations, ruining France and Germany, and others, both economically and physically.

I also feel strongly about what Hitler did to the Jews. He thought that the Aryans were the "perfect" race. It taught me not to be racist, I found this especially evident when the Nazi army had to fill it’s ranks with Poles and Russians, which were the most hated by the Germans. When they had to post men behind the fighting prisoners to shoot them if they tried to surrender or leave, didn’t they realize how cruel they were being?

Another things that I learned that really changed me was how much suffering there was and still is in Japan from the A- Bomb. I can’t imagine how it would feel to know your city was demolished and you might die of radiation because of technologies brought on by war. Japan was changed greatly by the war.

From my veteran I understood how scared everyone always was during the war, no matter who you were, where you were, or who’s side you believed in. He told me about how it felt being forced to steer a plane through flak, knowing it could kill you. I know now that each veteran left behind family and friends to do what was right. It would have been so hard to have a relative or friend in the war, never knowing if you would see them again.

I think you should never go to war unless it comes to the point where you must to defend your country and your freedom. I am now very proud to be an American and respectful of the sacrifices all the veterans made. I am also very happy that through this unit I have come to understand and think about this period of history.