hands...A luxury in our dull daily life was a hot bath in a tub every 10 days, and to put on clean clothing. I remember two pistols (handguns), hidden in a safe place. We knew it was for protection. My parents told us many years later, when we had grown up, that Mom and Dad would had used them on the four of us, as a last resort.
Came May 1945, seeing our parents looking so much happier, one early morning we saw big tanks rolling down the country side. My Dad, who spoke English quite fluently, had figured out, it were Canadian tanks. Not before long a tank stood before our "home". Out came, what a shock for us kids, a soldier with a black skin. Our first sight of someone not looking white. But he was such a lovely person, handing out chocolate and sweets to us, it was an unforgettable moment. Dad became during the next weeks quite busy. The news of us, someone fluent in English (my Mom spoke French), had been passed on between the armored vehicles. Liberation Day, May 08, was the end of our Odyssey. We kids gained weight again, my parents full of joy, that this all
had come to an end.. In Fall 1945 we went back to Northern Germany, where the nightmare had begun over two years ago... Uncounted Allied soldiers liberated Western Europe from the German occupancy. One is not certain, how many lost their life, buried in foreign soil, resting in War Cemeteries in France, Belgium, Netherlands, and Germany. If one of your students will travel this countries, and you will see a sign "War Cemetery", do stop and pay a short visit.
I know, it is the soldiers generation of your grandparents, which went through hell over here in Europe, A grandparent in uniform, you know only from an old photograph. But I am sure, if your grandpa looks from heaven, and seeing you walking between the crosses, he will be so proud of you and sure will sent you a big hug when you pay your respect to the fallen. Let us be thankful, that good parts of our world can now live in peace. Remember, peace was payed by a heavy price, above all by the brave men and women of the Allied Forces.
Kind regards to you, Kiley, and your students in your school.
Rolf.