After WWII, many American soldiers brought home memorabilia from their time in battle. These included photos, medals, and uniforms.
Included in these were also flags that belonged to one of the enemies at the time, Japanese soldiers. Family and friends gave the Japanese soldiers these “good luck flags” right before they went off to war.
Terry Stockdale of Las Vegas received one of these Japanese flags from his late father who fought in the war. He now wants to return it to the soldier’s family more than a decade after his father passed.
“This does not belong to me. It’s not mine. It belongs to the family,” Stockdale told Fox 5 Las Vegas. “There are families in Japan that do treasure these.”
Although his father didn’t want to return the flag, Stockdale feels it’s the right thing to do, especially since he knows of another WWII soldier sending his flag back. It’s almost like a way to make peace, similarly to the once Vietnam enemies who forgave each other 37 years later.
“When you’re fighting and killing each other, you keep those memories forever,” Stockdale said. “Seventy years is too long to hate somebody, that’s why I believe my father would agree with me.”
Watch below and please SHARE if you admire Stockdale’s forgiveness!
