Finally, they are opening the records

[trystinn]

Some days I wonder about what happened to our family who didn't leave Germany after World War I. And then I read things like this, and I stop wondering because I can't stand to let my imagination go there. Growing up, I knew men with these tattoos, ran my fingers over them and kissed their tears with all the gravitas a young girl possessed.

Every year, we lose more of our survivors. It was feared that the Shoah Project was all that we would have left of them until the Red Cross opened the archive.

American soldiers liberated Jack in 1945. On a personal effects card that he had signed at Buchenwald, there was reference to a number: A11832. Asked if he's seen that number before, Jack tells Pelley "I see it every time. You wanna see it?"

A11832 is the inmate number the Nazis tattooed on Jack's arm. "It’s there. And when I die, they shouldn’t cover up my arm. They should keep it like this, because when the good Lord will see this, I hope he’s gonna put me front row, center. Because I deserve it," he says.

More, if you can stand to read it,here

Humanity has learned so very, very little.

Comments

Re: We are sick monkeys, read at your peril

[brock-tn.livejournal.com]

I was a combat-arms soldier, infantry and armor, for 24 years. Dark humor I understand. There are some circumstances where the options are either to scream in pain or to find some ugly little reason to laugh. Most of us choose to find a reason to laugh.

Re: We are sick monkeys, read at your peril

[tryst-inn.livejournal.com]

I was kinda betting on that. *zen hugs*

Still think Simon Green should use that bit in his Nightside series.

Btw, I bit the bullet and joined the Military Pagan Network. Any advice or thoughts?