Weelittledrummer - I don't think it's exactly accurate to say that those 20 million Russians died in WWII for "Soviet Communism". That just happened to be the government and system that was in power at the time. They did not die for an "ism", they died for Mother Russia....for their homeland...for their families and homes and all that they ever knew. They would have done the same if any other "ism" had been in charge of Russia at the time.

Likewise, most of the Germans who died did not die for Naziism, in my opinion. They died for Germany, for their nation, for their ancient traditions and loyalties, for the families and towns that were at their backs...as well as for the men in their unit or on their ship who fought beside them.

It's always that way. People fight for their national identity, their homes and families, and their brothers in arms. And THAT is the heart of what truly is patriotism.

The governments and the political masters and their propaganda come and go like masks over a face, and they are soon replaced by new ones...but the nation itself remains as a true and living thing that goes deep into the hearts of its people.