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Apr 14, 07, 03:32 #101
As for our southern neighbors - they are nice, peaceful people, who try to refrain from any blood spills, and battles, conflicts or struggles if possible. Nation who emerged from the austro-hungarian era unscathed and more beautiful. It found itself in a byt of trouble in 68, but after that as one Czech said on some tv documentary seen last year, "decided to use its superior intelligence to fight the communism, not like other european countries - jumping and fighting". Took them ONE week to achiewe what we "not so inteligent" Poles fought for, since the soviets filled the power vacuum , as the front line moved west. (hope u understand it )
When the russian intrapment took place, my dad born in 1921 was in Germany (since 1940) working in one of his many force labour camps. I will never forget his stories, how that news made them cry. When I was only little he said to me "one day our eagle will get its crown back, I will not live to see it but you will". Dad died in dec 88 from lung complications, one of the many health problems he acquired during his years in a camp, where in winter they slept under the sky useing body heat to keep themselves warm in minus temp. About midnight they would walk for 2hr to the kitchen to recieve the daily food - some bread and soup - they never look at the food distributor, not to "upset" him, hoping he will plunge the ledle for some solids, but it never happend - there was no solids for them.
Dad wasn't well, but he never complained, never considered seeking war compensation, he would say I don't wont to be paid for my pain, let it be my humble gift to my country, I wasn't here to do more. He was part of the lost generation so well described by Norman Davies in Rising'44
My mother at the age of 8 helped her parents look after Jewish family of three for over a year. My grandmother now 102 years old would do it again. Her words -"it das not worry me what they say about us, I know I saved lives. Everyone around kept Jews at home, one german raid and all would go against the wall.... but we didn't think about it."
We are an ordinary everage polish family, like many others - and this is part of my little story
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