In recent years, discussions around free speech and historical memory have become increasingly polarizing. A speech given by Alessandro Pepe, who goes by the name Alexx Hermánn now, associated with the 2016 film My Honor Was Loyalty, brings these issues to the forefront. Previously I wrote about Alessandro Pepe / Alexx Hermánn and how his work romanticize the myth of the Waffen-SS [here](https://www.samueldekorte.com/articles/my-honor-was-loyalty) and how he distorted the Allied bombings in Germany to evoke sympathy for the German soldiers [here](https://www.samueldekorte.com/articles/allied-air-assaults). The speech is taken from the beginning of the short movie You've Shed Blood, which details a battle between Italian partisans and the German Wehrmacht.

Free Speech or Historical Revisionism? Analyzing Alessandro Pepe's explanation and the historical implications

When reading a history book, people are presented with history and historical facts. However, is there such a thing as a truly objective historical fact? At first glance, a sentence describing an artillery gun’s specifications seems purely factual. But upon closer inspection, even this simple statement is influenced by the societies, history, and cultures that created it. A historical fact is never just a historical fact, it’s a cultural construct that says something about the historical past. A cultural construct refers to the way in which societies shape and define concept. Let’s explore this concept by analyzing two seemingly straightforward statements about antitank guns from World War II!

What is a Historical Fact? The Complex Truth About Presenting History.

In the grand narrative of World War II, certain names dominate our collective memory: Eisenhower, MacArthur, and perhaps most dramatically, General George S. Patton. Patton’s Third Army blazed across Europe with unprecedented speed, earning him the nickname “Old Blood and Guts.” But behind this legendary advance was a crucial support system that made it all possible: the 514th Quartermaster Group. This unit is the subject of the book “Patton’s Wheels.”

Patton’s Wheels: The Unsung Heroes Behind the Third Army’s Swift Advance

Across America, military heroes have long been celebrated for their courage, sacrifice, and service. Yet today, questions are emerging about how people choose to remember, and sometimes remove, the full stories behind their heroism.