Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

DFW

(54,050 posts)
2. Though I knew several survivors, one stood out in particular
Sun Jan 27, 2019, 06:07 AM
Jan 2019

He was a teenager in Den Haag when he was rounded up, and eventually landed in Auschwitz. He carried the tattooed number on his arm for the rest of his life.

He was quite a character, married an Austrian gentile who learned to speak Dutch without losing her thick Viennese accent. It took some getting used to. He was also a soccer fanatic, supporting the Dutch national team when and where possible. One time, when they went to Poland to play the Polish national team, he went with them to see the game. He took an extra day to go back to Auschwitz.

I asked him afterward, "why in the world would you want to go back THERE of all places?"

His answer (typical of him) was, "I wanted to stand before that gate again and gloat that I am still here and you're just a dead relic."

Yes, to both. More than one survivor. Solly Mack Jan 2019 #1
Though I knew several survivors, one stood out in particular DFW Jan 2019 #2
My Husband helped liberate True Blue American Jan 2019 #3
Wow...such an incredible life story. Thank you for sharing Docreed2003 Jan 2019 #7
This all happened before I met him True Blue American Jan 2019 #9
That is really special. Behind the Aegis Jan 2019 #22
I've been to Dachau. GentryDixon Jan 2019 #4
We used to live in West Hollywood, near the "borscht belt." Hortensis Jan 2019 #5
The "borscht belt" is nowhere near West Hollywood oberliner Jan 2019 #13
:) I don't keep count, Oberliner, Hortensis Jan 2019 #15
Perhaps googling - before discounting - is a good idea? salin Jan 2019 #28
My mother was a Holocaust survivor Fortinbras Armstrong Jan 2019 #6
I am a 2nd generation of a Holocaust survivor The Truth Is Here Jan 2019 #8
I had, they have since died, 2 friends. Cold War Spook Jan 2019 #10
My first trip to Europe in 1983 mnhtnbb Jan 2019 #11
My childhood best friend's father was a teenager in Auschwitz. My mucifer Jan 2019 #12
Met survivors, never been to mainland Europe, but took the kids to the Holocaust Museum in DC Maeve Jan 2019 #14
I would like to go to visit a concentration camp. I still can't wrap my mind around what the UniteFightBack Jan 2019 #16
When I was in high school Bettie Jan 2019 #17
As a teenager, I worked at a cleaners Beringia Jan 2019 #18
Polish Catholic neighbor whistler162 Jan 2019 #19
Thanks for the reminder. Behind the Aegis Jan 2019 #20
My husband's parents were Holocaust survivors. One of his elderly cousins leads tours of Auschwitz Hekate Jan 2019 #21
I have not been to a concentration camp, but I have been to many Jewish graveyards,, memorials and smirkymonkey Jan 2019 #23
I haven't knowingly met a survivor... Wounded Bear Jan 2019 #24
never for either but........ Takket Jan 2019 #25
The one I met was a old Greek lady, had the tattoo on her arm.. EX500rider Jan 2019 #26
I've seen the movie Schindler's List at least 5 times FakeNoose Jan 2019 #27
A friend's father helped liberate survivors Ilsa Jan 2019 #29
Both. GulfCoast66 Jan 2019 #30
When I was in elementary school a survivor came to talk to us. tammywammy Jan 2019 #31
My father was a survivor of Auschwitz Danmel Jan 2019 #32
My favorite uncle brought his bride, a survivor, home from WWII Maru Kitteh Jan 2019 #33
As a surg.tech. student (70's), I worked with two surgeons, both had arm tattoos. Greybnk48 Jan 2019 #34
My husband (now my ex) is Jewish, Ashkanzi. PoindexterOglethorpe Jan 2019 #35
The whole family went to Dachau. KitSileya Jan 2019 #36
Latest Discussions»General Discussion»International Holocaust R...»Reply #2