Holocaust survivor and me?!

Odd topic name, huh?

Well, I just got through a drill weekend. Wasn't too bad. Did my job, found out I'm up for advancement to E-4 as long as I pass next month's PT test and everything is going pretty swell for Army Reservist Arkans.

Anyway, today at our drill we had a holocaust survivor come in to speak to the whole entire RRC. He spoke for about an hour and it was an extremely interesting account of how he survived Buchenwold and then Dachau. Not only that, but he was born in the same country as I was, Poland.

Anyway, tomorrow he is going to the Holocaust memorial in Downtown Boston. Where do I come in? Well, last month I got blessed with a 104 temperature and had to miss a day of drill, so I was asked if I could make it up by going with him into Boston.

Not only that, but I can get more indepth information from him as well as compare his story to my grandfather's story about how his experience in a concentration camp during the war. Not only that, but we both speak Polish. I think this will be an interesting way to spend most of my day. Only down part? Gotta wake up at 5:30 AM tomorrow!!

- Arkans

[Edited on 4-4-2005 by Arkans]

[HarmNone]

Sounds like a great and interesting opportunity, Arkans. I'll be anxious to hear how it goes. :)

I'll definately be doing an AAR when I get back home tomorrow.

- Arkans

pssst they dont know what an AAR is.

[4a6c1]

Awesome. Sounds like you two will have tons to talk about considering your family history. I'm excited for you! Dont be skimpy on the details when you get back. :D

After Action Report/Review

- Arkans

:yes: :wink: hard sometimes... not talking army isn't it.

Expecially after drill when that's all I hear, I feel for you full timers :P

- Arkans

:sniffle: its hard
good luck tomorrow, and remember old men who are drunk say some of the most interesting things.

[Edited on 4-4-2005 by Dave]

[xtc]

Arkans sounds like an interesting experience. To be honest I am envious. I read Victor Frankel's book Man's search for Meaning, in which he details some of his experiences in a camp. The only other person I met who was willing to talk about his experiences was a friend's father. However we only had one short talk before he came down with Alzheimer’s.

[Bobmuhthol]

I've been to the Holocaust memorial. Good times. Probably the coolest thing I saw when I was there.

[YancyDC]

Did you take away your Hitler icon in preparation?

I had a couple survivors speak at my Hebrew school, amazing stories. I wonder if he has a tattoo on his arm. I would say to ask, but you never know what topics are taboo with people.

[Skeeter]

Yeah, he could show you his numbers, and you could show him your nazi flag. good times.

Despite him never having a chance of seeing it, I did take down the Hitler avatar out of respect. Anyway, this is how it went. It was an extremely enlightening and humbling experience. Those who don't want a long drawn out read, go back now, I won't be sparing many details.

Anyway, my day started early today. I was woken up by my alarm at 5:30 and with a groan I pushed myself off of my futon, dodged my still sleeping dog and began to prepare for the day. I decided to choose my clothing carefully, deciding to be conservative, yet still very fashionable. After the morning routine was completed I made my trek towards Hanscom AirForce Base to meet up with my supervisor.

Anyway, I met up with my supervisor and she and I both went to to the 94th RRC where I would meet up with the EO (Equal Opportunity) Counselor. When I arrived it was told to me that I would be leaving with her within the hour. I took steps to prepare (checked my e-mail, bathroom, breakfast, printed my orders ect.) and made the trek to the hotel where Dr. William Samelson was staying.

It was on this trip that Ms Gist (the EO Rep) told me that we would be not visiting the Holocaust memorial. I was personally shocked. I was amazed that we'd skip over something so significant and I asked her why this would be. The answer didn't really surprise me, so I gave a silent nod when she told me that Dr. Samelson did not want to bring back potentially bad memories. I made a mental note to keep my questions sensitive and not too intrusive.

We arrived at the hotel shortly after and we began our trip towards Boston. Dr. Samelson and I exchanged words about Poland. About my last name and how that I could very well be related to others with my last name as it is not very common. We compared New England's weather to Poland's and came to the conclusion that it is very similiar, just we get less snow here. I felt as though I was progressing. I wanted to start light hearted before I would go deeper into questioning.

We arrived in Boston and walked through Freedom Trail and this is where we began our first discussion. We began to speak of the World War II in general and from here on I will quote as best I can of the account

Me: I find it hard to really feel bad for the Wermacht soldiers that were imprisoned by the Russians. After all, they did deserve what they got for causing such suffering on people.

Dr. Samelson: Ah, and this is where the problem is. You, yourself, have a trouble feeling pity for the Wermacht, but I'll tell you, it was not the Wermacht that caused the autrocities. If you should hate anyone, you should hate the SS. Many of the Wermacht units had SS officers that would shoot commanders on site that would not obey orders to the fullest! I, personally, cannot hold a grudge against that, but I can hate the SS for what they pushed the German people into. They were all former criminals you see. They had no problems doing what they did.

(The above is nowhere near an exact translation. He was far too articulate for me to ever hope to grasp his words)

I gave a silent nod and we began to discuss the tactics of the war and both came to agreement. The people of the world are extremely lucky that Hitler's madness clouded his judgement.

After an hour or so of walking it would be now that we would go to Legal Seafood. It a shocking display of kindness, Dr. Samelson offered to buy everyone's meal and demanded that we pick whatever we want it. Despite the cost. Choosing a beer, he chose vodka, and Ms. Gist choosing a Shirly Temple we all gave a toast (the following is a phonetic spelling of the Polish word) of "Naz Drovia!" (for health!) and we drank.

Time passed by and we began to discuss the political climate of Poland and how little has truly changed. We discussed how many of the former Communists were ruling Poland for life terms and all Dr. Samelson could do was laugh.

Dr. Samelson: How do you expect things were in Germany after the war?

Me: What do you mean?

Dr. Samelson: Many of the Nazis were thrown back into power by the Allies! They were the only competant leaders and administrators in all of Germany! Of course they were not the top eschelon, but they were part of the Nazi regime nontheless!

I can't say I was surprised. We continued to discuss history some more and Dr. Samelson told me:

"Poland needs to be extremely careful of its borders. Listen to what Putin says. Reviving Russia to its former glory and power. He would love to see that and he would do anything to achieve that goal"

Me: "Do you mean to tell me that it is possible for Russian tanks to roll into Poland?"

Dr Samelson: "Very possible. The speeches that he gives are the exact as Hitler's! He uses the same speaking points and has the same goals! We should watch them carefully for the former KGB and Communist Party is alive and well in Russia!"

This discussion got into further depth. While I retrained the knowledge a transcript would be near impossible to provide. I will leave it that I felt more enlightend by his talking to me in Legal Seafood that afternoon than I had felt in a while. I truly left with something.

When we left it had been a few drinks and a few hours after and the time to part ways was coming. I ran into the nearest Gamespot and picked out something and decided to keep it. I laughed to myself. It was a bit clever. On our way to our respective trains Dr. Samelson and I finally spoke about his experience. I was nervous to ask. This is something I will remember for quite some time, if not forever.

Me: "Do you mind me asking about your experiences about the camps?"

Dr. Samelson: "Of course not. Go ahead"

Me: "What kept you going? What made you survive?"

Dr. Samelson: "At first... It was prayer and family. Though that does fail after sometime. Then, it was pure hatred for my captors. I wanted to see them be in my position one day. I wanted to see them in rags and I would not be beaten by them. It was one of the happiest days of my life when I saw the columns of Germans, with their torn uniforms, marching and looking and defeated and dirty as I did."

I nodded and we began to head back. On the way we discussed language and the best ways to learn it, but when we arrived to the parting place I asked to stop. Reaching into my bag I pulled out a piece of software. A silly little videogame, but one where you controlled the nations that destroyed Nazi Germany. Both of us laughed as I asked him to sign it. Taking his pen he opened the first page of the instruction booklet and wrote the following:

"My dear friend, Lukasz, please rmemember what happened when we lost our vigilance. It is the price for freedom - fond regards, Will Samelson"

I was shocked and pleased that he used my Polish first name and he promised that we would meet once again. Whether we do, I am not sure, but we had it arranged that I would get a copy of his book. If anyone is interested in it the name is

"Warning and Hope: The Nazi Murder of European Jewry: A Survivor's Account"

He said that what we discussed what also discussed in his book. I feel bad that I cannot put all that was said into this giant post, but for those that had the endurance to read it through had perhaps pick out the humbling tone that I put into it, will know what kind of impact it had on me. I learned from this one man more in a few hours over lunch than I could from any history book, for had a very human touch to it.

So, that's what happend. Dr. Samelson, you are an inspiritation to all and your words truly are ones that should be headed. I cannot thank you enough for today's events.

- Luke

[4a6c1]

Thanks for sharing. He sounds like a very genuine person and I'm glad you had a nice time. :)

[Gan]

Outstanding experience! I would have loved to have been in your shoes or with your group to listen to what he had to say, even though I'm not of polish origin nor do I have any family that experienced the European part of WW2 or the events therein. My family was fighting in the pacific during WW2 so I have a different history that was passed down to me regarding that experience.

Several things you mentioned were quite noteworthy..

<...deciding to be conservative, yet still very fashionable.>
I think thats signature material if you ask me...

<...it was not the Wermacht that caused the autrocities. If you should hate anyone, you should hate the SS.>
Even through college European History this point was not probed as indepth as it should have been. Its nice to understand an open eyed opinion, I wonder if that was evident to him immediately during the camps or afterwards upon retrospect.

<At first... It was prayer and family. Though that does fail after sometime. Then, it was pure hatred for my captors.>
I wonder if his family were victims of the camps that did not return and if that was the reason why his motivation was shifted or if it was time that evolved hope into vengance.

<please rmemember what happened when we lost our vigilance. It is the price for freedom.>
This is probably one of the more profound things I've heard in a while with regards to any sort of issues involving internatiional relations.

Thanks for sharing that experience with us. This post by far has been the highlight of my day/week/month in being a member of the PC community.

I'm glad that some people have found the read worth their time. Unfortunately, it is not even a mere shadow of the humbling and informative talks that I had with him. If I ever do see him again, I'd consider bringing a tape recorder.

- Arkans

[Gan]

As an aside, I had an additional thought that you might be able to answer from your personal perspective.

Given the fact that I know little of you except for what you represnt yourself as here and somewhat in game via the OOC channel, how will this experience shape the nazi/supremacist image that is evident in your posting and sayings?

I would think that I interpreted you correctly, in the past, in that it is ironic laden humor. However I'm not 100% sure and therefore curious as to your thoughts on not just how it moved you, but what effects you will feel from it that might alter/change your perspective/outlook/humor in the future.

Additionally hats off for serving in the Reserves.

[Back]

Good read. A little bit was passed on here as well. Inspiring.

[Revalos]

Nice experience there Arkans. You don't get that every day.

I didn't have half as good of one, but I did run into a crazy coincidental meeting with a WWII soldier once.

I made some friends with some German grad students (one was studying engineering, the other...oddly enough, the Nazi period of German History, which wasn't able to be studied in Germany) when I was studying abroad in England back in 1999. They invited me to their house in Burgau outside of Munich for Christmas...and I was not allowed to decline...heh...Europeans are cool like that.

Anyway, I get there and meet the family, who speak next to no english, but the grad students did, so that helped my pigeon German. I find out that one of the students' grandfathers fought in WWII with the Wehrmacht (an engineer like his grandson). I proceed to get freaked out in my mind.

I'm a WWII history nutbag and here I am by chance meeting a german soldier...something I never even thought would happen in my life. But it gets freakier.

The grandfather introduces himself...in English. His whole family is literally in shock...they never knew he could speak it. And then he tells me that he was captured by the Americans in France a few weeks after D-Day, and he was sent to a prison camp in the US. That prison camp was Camp Carollton...in New Orleans.

Now...I'm from New Orleans...but I didn't immediately realize where any prison camps had been...but then it hit me...I freaking played little league baseball on a land parcel that had been "a WWII camp." I had always thought it had been one of those CCC efforts. He describes the location vividly, and I'm speechless. I played freaking baseball in a freaking stadium built by German POWs 52 years after they did it, and then I got to meet one of them by random ass chance. We're all in this kind of bizarro world alternate dimension shock. It was the coolest thing I ever will experience, I'm sure, but it was amazing.

Still...doesn't really compare to what you got Arkans.

P.S. I just came back from a trip to Poland, Szczecin to be exact. Cool place.

Okay, few comments. My Nazi/Fascist posts are in fact satire and humor. It started when I was accused of actually being a Nazi on the official boards because I disagreed with affirmative action. I asked if someone thought I was a Nazi for that, they said yes, so I kind of picked it up as satire. Anyway, I've had far too much family fight, die, get imprisoned during WWII.

I was born in Poland (no accent, but I do speak it!) and that means that my family is all there. This is just a brief account of what my family endured:

Mother's Uncle and Aunt: Killed in Dachau
Father's Uncle: Fought in the battle of Monte Cassino (Free Polish forces)
Grandfather: Work camp for 4 years before being liberated by the Soviets
Great Uncle (unsure of what side): Fought in the Eastern Front all the way from a region call Stalino all the way to Berlin.

So, needless to say, it was a pretty ridiculous statement to call me a Nazi or supporter of them. It was just pure laden irony on my own behalf.

As far as my posting style? Hrmm.. It's an interesting question. Maybe I'll find another way to entertain the unwashed masses here. I'll most likely not be going on my various "Sieg Heil" posts for a little bit just out of respect and reverence from what I experienced. Whether I return to it or not, who knows, it depends on how creative I feel.

- Arkans

PS: Revalos, if you have any detailed information of your account I would personally love to read it. I am also a WWII history buff and would love to hear at least part of an account of someone in the Wermacht.

[Shari]

Well, just...wow.

I must say that one of the main reasons I disliked you, Arkans, was because I wasn't aware that your "Nazi-like" tendencies were a joke. I really thought you were racist, and I apologize for thinking so.

We all know how hard it is to tell when someone is serious or not and I took it for seriousness.

That being said, that is really fantastic that you were able to get that experience. It turns out that my father's grandparents were from Poland. I'm not sure if they were fleeing there at the time they came over to Ellis Island, but my uncle is doing research on our family tree and if I find anything on it while I'm there this summer I'll be glad to post it.

Well, this whole thread leaves me baffled and humbled at the same time, and very, very apologetic. I don't take well to racist people and I swear to god I had no idea you were joking, so again, I apologise.

Your name spelling is really cool, btw.

-Shari

[Nieninque]

Cool read Arkans. Wish I could have been there to take part in it.

Just to chip in on the other stuff, I knew your nazi shenannigans were a joke but I didnt find them funny...mainly because the irony you were using would have been lost on some people and that is the whole point about prejudiced jokes. Some poeple just miss the point.

Not to mention that the subjects of those jokes may see the irony in it, but to have experienced what they did/do, it just aint funny to have someone else making light of it

Anyway, I really enjoyed what you had to say here...best post I have read here in a while. Thanks.


[Edited on 5-4-05 by Nieninque]

[peam]

The experience sounds fantastic, Arkans. I'm envious.

[Jazuela]

Thank you Arkans for sharing this experience. The one thing that really hit me with emotion was at the very start. When you were informed you wouldn't be going to the Holocaust Memorial, and why. We have a Memorial here in our county...it's right along the side of one of the main roads, across the street from the HUGE multi-cemetary (there's like 8 cemetaries all grouped on the same block, one Christian, all the others Jewish).

Every time I have need to drive by that section of road, the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. One of the women in the synagogue where I worked once was a concentration camp survivor. We spoke often. Seeing that memorial always reminds me of her, now that she's gone (died of old age, with family and friends at her bedside).

Excellent experience for you Arkans, and I'm thankful to have read about it.

[YancyDC]

Thanks for writing all that up, Arkans, it was extremely interesting. I am, among other things, a Russian Jew with a bit of Polish ancestry, and it'd be a toss-up to say which side hate the Nazis more. I knew you weren't serious with the Nazi stuff before, but when I found out from this post you were Polish, I laughed at the irony.

Thanks again for writing it up, very enlightening.

[Jadewolff]

I'll go ahead and chime in here as well. That was a very interesting read Arkans. Thanks for sharing.

[xtc]

Arkans thanks for the account of your conversation. Soon these people won't be alive to share their experinces.

I always knew your Nazi shenanigans were a joke. At times I did find them funny but I have a dark sense of humour. I can see how other people would have found your humour disrespectful. I have a feeling that some of your humour will change now.

[Edited on 4-5-2005 by xtc]