FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Several survivors of a Nazi train transporting concentration camp inmates are being reunited with some of the US Army veterans who liberated them during World War II.
Five survivors of the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp are taking part in a three-day reunion starting Wednesday at the Hotel Crowne Plaza, Louisville, KY from April 11-13, 2013.
They were among some 2,500 Jewish men, women and children aboard a Nazi train that had departed the concentration camp ahead of advancing Allied troops in April 1945. They were liberated near Magdeburg, Germany by units of the 30th Infantry Division. In 2007, a high school in upstate New York began a series of reunions to bring liberators and survivors together.
This week’s reunion includes 2 survivors who are meeting their liberators for the first time. One is traveling from Israel for the event.
Please visit teachinghistorymatters.wordpress.com for a schedule and contact information.
Schedule below.
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From Frank Towers, Secretary of the 30th Infantry Division Veterans of WWII:
As most of you already know, men of the 743rd Tk. Bn., and 30th Infantry Division, liberated over 2.500 victims of the Holocaust from Bergen-Belsen on 13 April 1945.
We will be honored to have some of these Survivors join with us again at Louisville. Two of them have never been with us before, so they will give a resume of their life history, so be sure to come to hear these stories that have never been told before.
Two of these Survivors are coming all of the way from Jerusalem, Israel, one of which is joining with other members of his family, to meet his Liberators for the first time. Another Survivor will be coming from San Diego, CA with his daughter, also to meet for the very first time with some of his liberators.
To make it clear, each of you veterans were “Liberators” of this group of victims. Although you may not have had any personal hands-on experience with them at the time of their liberation, You were doing your job which was supporting the action in the local vicinity of this tremendous discovery and the release of these frail humans to Freedom.
Join with us on this occasion to meet these Survivors that you helped to liberate 68 years ago !!
This will be an Historic event !! 68 years to the exact date of their Liberation !!!
Tentative Program
Wednesday 10 April 2013
Early Arrivals
No Activities All Day “On Own”
Hospitality Room Open
Thursday 11 April 2013
Arrivals all day
Hospitality Room Open
Registration
` Welcoming Reception – 7:00 PM
Hospitality Room Open for Visiting
Friday 12 April 2013
Breakfast 7-8:30 AM
Louisville Slugger Museum 9 – 12 AM
Lunch (Place TBA)
PM Program TBA
Dinner
Saturday 13 April 2013
Breakfast 7 – 8:30 AM
Annual Meeting 9:00 AM
Memorial Service 11:00 AM
Lunch 12:00 Noon
Holocaust Survivors Program 1:00 – 5:00 PM
Banquet 7:00 PM
Entertainment
Auction
Sunday
Departures for Home
Those staying over – All on Own
Teaching History Matters 