DH and I toured Auschwitz when we went to Poland. I am glad that I went but it was tough. Like others have mentioned I found the children’s shoes hard to see. It is not an easy place to visit emotionally. If you are not up to it, then that is a valid decision. It was a hard reminder of how terrible humans can be.
go to Auschwitz?
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shortstop14
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We've been to the Anne Frank House, Topology of Terror in Berlin, Josefov Jewish Quarter in Prague along with Dachau, Theresienstadt and Ravensbrück concentration camps. Each is a sobering reminder and warning of what humans and governments are capable of in extreme situations. Historically very interesting, but rougher to visit than regular museums.
I'd definitely go to Auschwitz if I was in Poland, but they are intense experiences and not easy to absorb.
I'd definitely go to Auschwitz if I was in Poland, but they are intense experiences and not easy to absorb.
I would hope that even if I didn't lose any immediate family during the Holocaust that I'm still compelled to learn what happened.
Not all museums are for our personal entertainment. Sometimes reality is uncomfortable, the least we can do is expose ourselves and learn.
I don't like gratuitous violence in the movies, and I do avoid watching, but a movie like "Schindler's List", to me it should be a duty to watch.
athena53
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"Duty" is a pretty strong word. We all have our "pain points" where we can't handle any more graphic detail. My Ex read widely on the Nazi atrocities- I'm not sure why. He had his faults but I'm happy to say he wasn't a Neo-Nazi. I never went near those books and I haven't seen "Schindler's List" and probably never will. It doesn't mean I'm unaware of what happened or I don't care. I just have limits and don't want to watch/read things that will make my physcially sick or leave me with nightmares.
powerplay
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I would find it very difficult to visit Auschwitz.
Learning about this time and the horrible things that happened can take many forms. In the late 70's I worked with a woman who experienced it. During the couple of years I worked with her she shared much of her story. She passed away earlier this year at age 95. I'm glad she went on to share her story and hopefully help to prevent anything like this again. She was a wonderful woman and probably downplayed the worst of her experiences due to PTSD.
https://portlandtribune.com/obits/167-pt-obituaries/386874-276819-eline-dresden-hoekstra-
Learning about this time and the horrible things that happened can take many forms. In the late 70's I worked with a woman who experienced it. During the couple of years I worked with her she shared much of her story. She passed away earlier this year at age 95. I'm glad she went on to share her story and hopefully help to prevent anything like this again. She was a wonderful woman and probably downplayed the worst of her experiences due to PTSD.
https://portlandtribune.com/obits/167-pt-obituaries/386874-276819-eline-dresden-hoekstra-
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Domiter
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I visited the camp in 1979 when Poland was still under Comments rule. The Poles downplayed the whole place. We were the only ones visiting that day. Still the whole experience was very unsettling and I remember it to this day.
W2R
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Me, too. If I had the chance to go there, I just couldn't.
Teacher Terry
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It was very crowded when we went but very quiet except for the guides talking. I feel that we have a duty to never let this be forgotten. I could feel the pain, sadness and felt like I could feel their souls.
happy2bretired
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I’ve been to the Holocaust Memorial in Berlin as well as the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam. As others in this thread have pointed out, the reverence and silence is very noticeable. The concrete blocks that you walk among at the Holocaust Memorial in Berlin gives you time to reflect on what happened during that time in history. The adjoining indoor area was a very emotional experience for me.
I went to Washington DC this spring but didn’t visit the Holocaust Museum there. I debated
with myself about going, remembering what I experienced in Berlin. I do believe that I need to go back. I also need to remember to reserve a time to visit the new Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture when I go back. The history was amazing in the Smithsonian buildings.
I went to Washington DC this spring but didn’t visit the Holocaust Museum there. I debated
with myself about going, remembering what I experienced in Berlin. I do believe that I need to go back. I also need to remember to reserve a time to visit the new Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture when I go back. The history was amazing in the Smithsonian buildings.
gamboolman
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Ms. gamboolgal visited Dachau in 2012. Said it was sad place.
Her father, Mr. Beam was in the 101st from Camp Toccoa all the way thru the war, in every major battle and was never wounded.
The 101st helped to liberate Kaufering IV sub-camp of Dachau.
He told us very little of the war or of the killing.
He did tell us a little bit of the liberation of the concentration camp. He said that some of the Camp Guards had dressed in prisoner clothes - but they of course stood out and were easily identified. He said that they let the prisoners kill some of the guards. He spoke of Bull Dozers being used to bury bodies in mass graves. He would not say much more. It was very upsetting for him.
Mr. Beam was on Eisenhowers honor guard. He escorted many of the Nazis at the Nuremberg trials to and from the trial, and later to the gallows.
Her father, Mr. Beam was in the 101st from Camp Toccoa all the way thru the war, in every major battle and was never wounded.
The 101st helped to liberate Kaufering IV sub-camp of Dachau.
He told us very little of the war or of the killing.
He did tell us a little bit of the liberation of the concentration camp. He said that some of the Camp Guards had dressed in prisoner clothes - but they of course stood out and were easily identified. He said that they let the prisoners kill some of the guards. He spoke of Bull Dozers being used to bury bodies in mass graves. He would not say much more. It was very upsetting for him.
Mr. Beam was on Eisenhowers honor guard. He escorted many of the Nazis at the Nuremberg trials to and from the trial, and later to the gallows.
Bamaman
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Our relative is now 95 years old and celebrating her arrival into New York Harbor on Thanksgiving Day, 1938--80 years ago. They were fed turkey, and she hadn't ever even heard of a turkey. Even today, she cries anytime she sees the Statue of Liberty. And she is getting a cake this week with a Statue of Liberty on it.
Glide77rocks
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Visited Dachau and then Auschwitz a few years later in 2008. It was a cold, windy March day in Poland when we visited. I stood on those famous RR tracks where human beings were sorted. I stood in the living quarters. It was chilling cold, even wearing appropriate clothing. To this day, I can still hear the haunting voice of our tour guide, carefully, unemotionally describe all the various areas of the camp. A very emotional day. It was an experience I will not forget.
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