TEREZIN' - CZECH REPUBLIC

The famous entrance to Terezin' Concentration Camp in the Czech Republic

Those who know me best know that I have waited a long a time to go to Terezin' where 15,000 Jewish children were sent during World War II and only 100 survived. While the Drama Coach at South Sevier High School, I was fortunate to produce two one-act plays about this concentration camp. Rather than go into details about the camp here, I would refer myself and other readers of this journal to several books and plays about “I Never Saw Another Butterfly” or “Can You Hear Them Crying” or any other materials about this Nazi “show” camp.  It is very sobering to see and feel the spirit of the past and remind us all to never forget!

One of my favorite parts of doing this plays was the impact it seemed to have on the kids. I'm sure it was so much more meaningful to them as they acted out scenes that were actually taken from journals and other information. I know the last one we did just this past spring was so touching that it took us weeks to get through rehearsals without someone crying. It is so important that the world never forget what happened in these camps, even if it is hard to think about or see. Some of these pictures are of places that were the most meaningful to me. The sign means “Work Makes You Free” even though it was just the opposite. I do want to say that the German citizens were not responsible for the Holocaust – the majority of them were victims of the propaganda fed to them from their leaders.

These pictures are in the center of Terezin' where the children were actually “kept” and some of the women. There is a museum in this building where you can find copies of some of the poems and pictures that the children were able to “smuggle” out at the end of the War. Most were destroyed by the fleeing Nazi soldiers. It was very moving to see and read the stories about some of the individuals who were kept here for many years. At first, the people actually worked in big tents on this square until the Red Cross was coming and then the Nazis had them plant flowers, do plays, play music – and many other things to make the place look like just a good place to raise a family. After the Red Cross visit, many of the adults – and some of the children – were sent to other camps for extermination.

The above pictures were taken at the Small Fortress which was more of a prison than a work camp and a memorial that you reach after walking 500 meters "through" a tunnel in the fortress wall. 

The Cemetery was heavily damaged during flooding in 2005. Many German and other European youth came to Terezin' and cleaned and restored the grave sites.

OTHER TRAVELS

The Castle ruins in Frauenstein - We went to the top!

The Wall of Royalty in Dresden - Massive!  24,000 Separate Tiles

The Frauenkirche in Dresden - Completely destroyed during World War II and now restored

We ended our day in Dresden by eating at an outside Australian restaurant where Dale ordered Kangaroo – and I also ate some – and it was pretty good. Kind of tasted like – wait for it – Elk? 

We walked to our car on top of a wall around the city – it was a beautiful and wide boulevard and there was a wonderful street band playing everything from polka music to the Hallelujah Chorus. Outside of the rain – it was a fun day.

We enjoyed our break but are very happy to be back to a full schedule at the Temple.  It is a beautiful place to serve and we meet so many wonderful people.  We have enjoyed watching Conference on the Internet and are so grateful to be able to have the Gospel in our lives.

View from the Lichtenwalde Gardens

ON A SAD NOTE

There is sadness in our hearts because Dale's sweet sister Dorothy Willis passed away last Wednesday night. It is hard to be so far away right now.  We will miss her but so grateful she is no longer suffering.