Although I find it interesting to read other people’s trials & tribulations of how they went through & survived the war, it’s still a topic that gives me nightmares. But in any event, I will still share w/ you people whatever I do know from my Father’s history.
My Father’s family lived in Debrecen, Hungary before the war. They were then taken to the concentration camp of Bergen Belsen where they kept families together. My Father was all of 5 or 6 yrs old at the time of the war. I’m not sure if it was right away or soon after, my Father’s Father was taken to a different camp of I think forced labor where he was never to be seen again by his wife or children. He died R”L only 2 weeks prior to the war ending. My Father & his Mother & siblings were also in the Mathausen & Thereisenstadt concentration camps as well. After they were liberated, they were in the DP camps in Frankfurt where they stayed I think until they came to America to Ellis Island w/ his Mother & all his other siblings.
While in Frankfurt, he always used to perform for the people there including the American Soldiers since he knew how to sing very well & he was a little kid & at that time there were hardly any little children who had survived the war. They were from the few who had survived the war-so they always used to make my Father crazy that he should sing for them again. The American soldiers used to bring for them chocolates & candies.
Later in his life, he killed his voice from smoking way too much. Although he hasn’t smoked in at least 15-20 yrs. or maybe more by now, his voice never came back to him-it was just too late!!
So my recommendation as a lesson to all you young boys/men who have been given a wonderful talent from Hakadosh Boruch Hu to sing, appreciate the gift you’ve been given & do yourselves & your family a very big favor & don’t even think of putting a cigarette into your mouth ever-not even 1!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Clark Kent, I hope that this information has been helpful to you & anyone else as well too.