My grandfather recently turned 96ish. I say 96ish because he doesn’t really remember his age.
When he was a teenager he had to flee Poland from the German invasion. That was only after he narrowly escaped a Nazi firing squad.
He did escape and obtained a fake identity to fight on the Russian front. That was his only way to survive and survive he did.
But shortly thereafter he was captured by German allies, held as a POW and forced to take on a fake identity. He lied about his name and his age while struggling to stay alive under impossible conditions. That was his only way to survive and once again, survive he did.
He came to America with very little but he rebuilt his life and started a family. A family that is able to celebrate his birthdays with him even if he doesn’t remember his age.
So ya, my grandfather recently turned 96ish.
His 5 or so brothers never made it past 20 years old.
6 million others didn’t make it all.
Today is Holocaust Remembrance Day.
For me, that is every day.
I’m sure for my grandparents, and many others, that is every day too.
#neverforget
Tags: Holocaust