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Post by mom on Jan 27, 2020 16:58:53 GMT
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Post by ntsf on Jan 27, 2020 17:03:58 GMT
we must remember the holocaust and other war crimes. History is more important than ever. (history is my passion)
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Post by christine58 on Jan 27, 2020 17:06:44 GMT
And to think some don't believe it happened..shame on them
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Post by questioning on Jan 27, 2020 17:22:06 GMT
we must remember the holocaust and other war crimes. History is more important than ever. (history is my passion) Agreed! Now more than ever. |
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Post by mom on Jan 27, 2020 17:27:50 GMT
And to think some don't believe it happened..shame on them I remember growing up that my MawMaws neighbor was from Germany (moved to the US as an adult). We were never allowed to go to their house when we'd stay at my grandparents farm and I didn't know why. Once I was an adult, I asked my MawMaw why she didn't like her and as soon as I asked the question, I knew it was the wrong thing to do. My MawMaw got so mad that her face turned red and she started telling me that she (her neighbor) talks about Holocaust not really happening and if she thought that then she couldn't be her friend. And in my Grandma's small community, everyone did everything together but never once did we get to be in the same place as her neighbor. |
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Post by workingclassdog on Jan 27, 2020 17:29:02 GMT
I am proud to say that my husband's grandpa helped liberate Dachau. My daughter, son and I visited the camp in 2018 and was able to see a plaque dedicated to his Unit (or whatever they call it.. division?) One of the most memorable places I have ever seen.
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sueg
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Post by sueg on Jan 27, 2020 17:41:20 GMT
And to think some don't believe it happened..shame on them I was able to visit Auschwitz-Birkenau in November 2018, and I cannot see how you could deny what happened if you just went there and experienced it. It was absolutely haunting and there are images from that day that will never leave me. |
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Post by stingfan on Jan 27, 2020 17:50:27 GMT
Does anyone follow Humans of New York on Facebook? There was an interview there recently that really showed the generational impact that the Holocaust continues to have.
“My childhood was dominated by her stories: living in the ghetto for two years, surviving off potato peels, running like an animal from the Nazis. She was the only one who survived. I have no grandparents. No aunts or uncles. Her entire family was killed. We rose up from the ashes. And my mother became a monster. She deprived us like she was deprived. My brother and I were always made to feel like a burden. Like we were leeching from her. There were no special occasions. No birthdays. No cake. Everything was counted. Everything was calculated. Whenever I asked for something, I was made to feel responsible for World War II. She’d say: ‘I didn’t survive Hitler to get you a bag of potato chips.’ She never let me feel like we were in America. I felt like I was the one wearing stripes. I’ve dreamed about Hitler since I was child. He tells me I’m a mistake. And that I should have been killed. I remember when I grew older and started visiting the houses of friends. I saw how their parents treated them. How they were given gifts. And how they were loved. It felt like I was crawling out of the sewer, after the war, and learning that this entire time-- some people had been living normal lives."
“My mother died on July 6th, 2005. One day toward the end of her life, we were in the subway together, carrying heavy packages, and I could see she was exhausted. She turned to me and said: ‘A ganzeh leben is a schlep.’ Which means: ‘All of life is a schlep.’ And for a moment I felt her pain. I realized I could still love her. She couldn’t love me, but I could love her. Despite all the abuse she’d given me, I could feel her pain. I resurrected this old photo after her death. She’s with her first husband. It was weeks before he was taken away. She’s only twenty years old in this picture. That gorgeous face. That youth. How could I possibly hate her the same way? It’s unfathomable. Not that she was right to be cruel, but it’s unfathomable what she went through. I once helped her type a memoir to get reparations from the Germans. At the end of her story, she wrote: ‘It was a life of horror. Having lost everything and everyone, I’d given up my struggle to live. And at that time, it would have been easier if they had killed me. But they didn’t. So on I went, living in hell.'”
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Post by mom on Jan 27, 2020 18:59:45 GMT
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Post by slowrunner70 on Jan 27, 2020 19:40:07 GMT
As a native german, I am ashamed of my country's horrible past, and I promise to do everything I can to not ever let anything like this happen ever again.
I visited Dachau twice, and Flossenbürg once.
It's something that will stay with you forever.
My Mom went to Auschwitz several years ago, and while she said it was one of the hardest things she ever did, and she would never do it again,. she also felt that it was something everybody should do.
None of us can possibly imagine the horrors all these innocent people had to endure.
The fact that there are people out there denying any of it ever happen just blows my mind.
The hatred that fills the world breaks my heart.
Never forget.
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Post by lbp on Jan 27, 2020 19:57:24 GMT
To even think what those people went through makes me physically ill. My husbands boss does not believe it ever happened. He says it's just propaganda! How can anyone be so stupid.
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Post by marmargirl on Jan 27, 2020 20:04:12 GMT
I visited Dachau in 1987, as part of a high school trip to different parts of Europe.
There are memories from that trip that have faded over the years but the feelings of horror and haunting I had while standing on those grounds will never be forgotten.
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Post by crimsoncat05 on Jan 27, 2020 20:05:19 GMT
The Duchess of Cambridge took photographs of two Holocaust survivors and their grandchildren. She did a beautiful job. she is a wonderful photographer. Those are beautiful photos. |
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Aug 18, 2025 20:15:32 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jan 27, 2020 22:04:04 GMT
The Duchess of Cambridge took photographs of two Holocaust survivors and their grandchildren. She did a beautiful job. she is a wonderful photographer. Those are beautiful photos. She has a degree in History of Art from St Andrews University. Photography is usually one of the modules for the final degree. |
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Post by birukitty on Jan 27, 2020 22:28:20 GMT
I visited Auschwisz-Birkenau in May 2017 during my Poland and Germany trip. On that day it was unusually cold and it got down to 39 degrees F with a few snowflakes in the air. Luckily I'd packed a warm down coat and a hat so I was prepared and it actually made my visit there more fitting-after reading so many books about the Holocaust I could imagine and feel things better than if it'd been a warm, sunny day. From the minute my feet hit the grounds I felt an eerie feeling. I'd scheduled an early entry visit which meant I could go in 2 1/2 hours before the tours started-which for me as a photographer was very important. I wanted a photo of the famous gate without a ton of people around it and I got it. Haven't done a thing with it, but I just wanted to capture it. More importantly it gave me time to walk the grounds alone when it was much more quiet to think and pray. I stayed late after the tour groups left to get more photos too.
Being there is-well there are no words really to describe it. I felt it in my soul. I felt the ghosts of all of those who had perished around me. Their lingering essence remains. The museum is more than just buildings and maps and exhibits.
I too think it is important for everyone to visit at least once in their lives. If you can't make it to Auschwitz try to make it to one of the other memorial camps or at least to one of the Holocaust Museums. We must never forget!
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oh yvonne
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Post by oh yvonne on Jan 27, 2020 23:56:09 GMT
To even think what those people went through makes me physically ill. My husbands boss does not believe it ever happened. He says it's just propaganda! How can anyone be so stupid. it boggles my mind, truly. |
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Post by malibou on Jan 28, 2020 1:31:44 GMT
My across the street neighbor and catty corner neighbor are both Holocaust survivors. I am very protective of them.
My fil was one of the first thru the gates during the liberation of Bergen Belsen. He still has nightmares about the things he saw and the stories those survivors told.
I'm not sure I have shared this story before, but today is a really good day to share it. Back in 2000, I wanted a PT Cruiser really badly. I couldn't track one down in So Cal where I live, but a guy I worked with knew of a dealership in New Mexico that could help me out. I called them, gave my info and they put me on their list. ☺ A couple of days later one of the mechanics from the dealership called me and wanted to ask me about my last name - it's my married name and I told him that. He then asks me if there was any chance that my husband's grandfather had fought in WW11. I told him that my husband's father had fought in WW11, but that he was not an American soldier, he was a British soldier. I could hear the guy swallowing as he asked me if my fil had been a tanker. Yes, he had been a tanker. I can now tell that the guy is choking up. He then asks me if I know it my fil was involved in any of the liberation of camps. I tell him yes, Bergen Belsen. Now this man is full on sobbing. He told me that his whole life he had listened to his father tell the story of how a British soldier in a tank had saved him from Bergen Belsen. The soldier had put his arm around him to help support him so he could walk thru that gate on his own two feet. About how the soldier wouldn't give him any food because it could kill him. He said that soldier sat with his dad until it was time for him to be transported and all they did was talk about all the yummy food he was going to have and how he couldn't wait to meet a girl and start a family. By this time I was sobbing as well. He said his dad knew what the soldiers last name was, but had regretted not finding out his first name. Based on this info we were pretty sure it had to be my fil, and I promised I would ask my fil about it. The last thing he asked me was it I would tell him my fil first name so he could tell his dad. Fil first name is Bernard. There is silence on the other end of the phone, and eventually the guy tells me that he has an older brother named Bernard.
When I got home that night I called fil. He remembered with clarity the details of that day and knew he was the soldier in question. I asked him if he would be willing to talk to the mechanic's dad. A couple of days later they talked and a week later the mechanic's dad died peacefully in his sleep.
Never forgotten.
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Post by mymindseyedpea on Jan 28, 2020 2:28:19 GMT
This is interesting that this is coming up today, because at work today, one of the checkers was telling a story about how the swastika symbol originated from the Navajo and was used in Buddhism and Hinduism to name a few. (and the reason he brought it up had nothing to do with today's anniversary, so that's why my interest is piqued) The original meaning of the symbol is: "Well being". I'm still reading up on it. And I just saw the movie Leaves of Grass yesterday. So 75 years ago was 1945? That's the only year I got from a customer's birthday today. Anyway, thank you for sharing this. The liberation of this must have caused a huge shift in the collective for the better. But I'm so sorry for all those people who lost their lives and families in this.
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Post by mom on Jan 28, 2020 3:04:51 GMT
My across the street neighbor and catty corner neighbor are both Holocaust survivors. I am very protective of them. My fil was one of the first thru the gates during the liberation of Bergen Belsen. He still has nightmares about the things he saw and the stories those survivors told. I'm not sure I have shared this story before, but today is a really good day to share it. Back in 2000, I wanted a PT Cruiser really badly. I couldn't track one down in So Cal where I live, but a guy I worked with knew of a dealership in New Mexico that could help me out. I called them, gave my info and they put me on their list. ☺ A couple of days later one of the mechanics from the dealership called me and wanted to ask me about my last name - it's my married name and I told him that. He then asks me if there was any chance that my husband's grandfather had fought in WW11. I told him that my husband's father had fought in WW11, but that he was not an American soldier, he was a British soldier. I could hear the guy swallowing as he asked me if my fil had been a tanker. Yes, he had been a tanker. I can now tell that the guy is choking up. He then asks me if I know it my fil was involved in any of the liberation of camps. I tell him yes, Bergen Belsen. Now this man is full on sobbing. He told me that his whole life he had listened to his father tell the story of how a British soldier in a tank had saved him from Bergen Belsen. The soldier had put his arm around him to help support him so he could walk thru that gate on his own two feet. About how the soldier wouldn't give him any food because it could kill him. He said that soldier sat with his dad until it was time for him to be transported and all they did was talk about all the yummy food he was going to have and how he couldn't wait to meet a girl and start a family. By this time I was sobbing as well. He said his dad knew what the soldiers last name was, but had regretted not finding out his first name. Based on this info we were pretty sure it had to be my fil, and I promised I would ask my fil about it. The last thing he asked me was it I would tell him my fil first name so he could tell his dad. Fil first name is Bernard. There is silence on the other end of the phone, and eventually the guy tells me that he has an older brother named Bernard. When I got home that night I called fil. He remembered with clarity the details of that day and knew he was the soldier in question. I asked him if he would be willing to talk to the mechanic's dad. A couple of days later they talked and a week later the mechanic's dad died peacefully in his sleep. Never forgotten. Oh wow! That is amazing! |
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Post by mymindseyedpea on Jan 28, 2020 3:15:52 GMT
My across the street neighbor and catty corner neighbor are both Holocaust survivors. I am very protective of them. My fil was one of the first thru the gates during the liberation of Bergen Belsen. He still has nightmares about the things he saw and the stories those survivors told. I'm not sure I have shared this story before, but today is a really good day to share it. Back in 2000, I wanted a PT Cruiser really badly. I couldn't track one down in So Cal where I live, but a guy I worked with knew of a dealership in New Mexico that could help me out. I called them, gave my info and they put me on their list. ☺ A couple of days later one of the mechanics from the dealership called me and wanted to ask me about my last name - it's my married name and I told him that. He then asks me if there was any chance that my husband's grandfather had fought in WW11. I told him that my husband's father had fought in WW11, but that he was not an American soldier, he was a British soldier. I could hear the guy swallowing as he asked me if my fil had been a tanker. Yes, he had been a tanker. I can now tell that the guy is choking up. He then asks me if I know it my fil was involved in any of the liberation of camps. I tell him yes, Bergen Belsen. Now this man is full on sobbing. He told me that his whole life he had listened to his father tell the story of how a British soldier in a tank had saved him from Bergen Belsen. The soldier had put his arm around him to help support him so he could walk thru that gate on his own two feet. About how the soldier wouldn't give him any food because it could kill him. He said that soldier sat with his dad until it was time for him to be transported and all they did was talk about all the yummy food he was going to have and how he couldn't wait to meet a girl and start a family. By this time I was sobbing as well. He said his dad knew what the soldiers last name was, but had regretted not finding out his first name. Based on this info we were pretty sure it had to be my fil, and I promised I would ask my fil about it. The last thing he asked me was it I would tell him my fil first name so he could tell his dad. Fil first name is Bernard. There is silence on the other end of the phone, and eventually the guy tells me that he has an older brother named Bernard. When I got home that night I called fil. He remembered with clarity the details of that day and knew he was the soldier in question. I asked him if he would be willing to talk to the mechanic's dad. A couple of days later they talked and a week later the mechanic's dad died peacefully in his sleep. Never forgotten. Wow that gave me chills! Thank you so much for sharing! |
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paigepea
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Post by paigepea on Jan 28, 2020 3:29:33 GMT
We were in Auschwitz-Birkenau in July 2019 and it was an overwhelming experience. We travelled around to view old and gone Jewish communities. The remnants were also overwhelming. We ended up in Hungary to view the monument for the righteous gentile who saved my dh’s grandmother. It was all overwhelming yet an amazing experience.
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Post by lesserknownpea on Jan 28, 2020 7:10:29 GMT
I visited Auschwisz-Birkenau in May 2017 during my Poland and Germany trip. On that day it was unusually cold and it got down to 39 degrees F with a few snowflakes in the air. Luckily I'd packed a warm down coat and a hat so I was prepared and it actually made my visit there more fitting-after reading so many books about the Holocaust I could imagine and feel things better than if it'd been a warm, sunny day. From the minute my feet hit the grounds I felt an eerie feeling. I'd scheduled an early entry visit which meant I could go in 2 1/2 hours before the tours started-which for me as a photographer was very important. I wanted a photo of the famous gate without a ton of people around it and I got it. Haven't done a thing with it, but I just wanted to capture it. More importantly it gave me time to walk the grounds alone when it was much more quiet to think and pray. I stayed late after the tour groups left to get more photos too. Being there is-well there are no words really to describe it. I felt it in my soul. I felt the ghosts of all of those who had perished around me. Their lingering essence remains. The museum is more than just buildings and maps and exhibits. I too think it is important for everyone to visit at least once in their lives. If you can't make it to Auschwitz try to make it to one of the other memorial camps or at least to one of the Holocaust Museums. We must never forget! Please consider sharing a few pics with us |
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Post by birukitty on Jan 29, 2020 0:26:14 GMT
Please consider sharing a few pics with us I would like to lesserknownpea but honestly don't feel comfortable putting these types of photos online. Family photos sure, but this I consider part of my photography work and once it's online there is no way to protect it. It's out there and can be copied so easily. Not by Peas, but anyone else coming across our site. I'm hoping to go back when there is a different type of weather and maybe commission a photography book for the museum giving all proceeds to them. But that's a dream. In the meantime I have the photos I have. I haven't done anything with them since I returned from my trip because the week I got back my migraines changed from once in awhile to chronic. |
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pyccku
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,831 
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Post by pyccku on Jan 29, 2020 13:23:56 GMT
I visited Auschwisz-Birkenau in May 2017 during my Poland and Germany trip. On that day it was unusually cold and it got down to 39 degrees F with a few snowflakes in the air. Luckily I'd packed a warm down coat and a hat so I was prepared and it actually made my visit there more fitting-after reading so many books about the Holocaust I could imagine and feel things better than if it'd been a warm, sunny day. From the minute my feet hit the grounds I felt an eerie feeling. I'd scheduled an early entry visit which meant I could go in 2 1/2 hours before the tours started-which for me as a photographer was very important. I wanted a photo of the famous gate without a ton of people around it and I got it. Haven't done a thing with it, but I just wanted to capture it. More importantly it gave me time to walk the grounds alone when it was much more quiet to think and pray. I stayed late after the tour groups left to get more photos too. We went there in summer 2018. It was ridiculously hot and miserable. You always hear about the camps being cold and miserable, but it was equally bad when it was hot - the barracks were stifling. I took my kids, ages 14, 19 and 19 at the time. They were really looking forward to going there. We took a month-long trip through Europe - Ireland, England, Poland, France, Germany, Austria and Slovakia. The camps were the thing they were most interested in seeing. We visited the Nazi Document center in Nuremberg as well. After Poland, we headed to Paris. I pointed out the different monuments whenever we ran across them - plaques on the front of schools memorializing deported Jewish students, the monument to the deportation near Notre Dame. We also went to the Caen peace memorial on our way to the D-Day beaches. Seeing it all as part of a whole is more meaningful, you realize just how much the entire continent was affected and how much effort was necessary to stop it. |
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