In memory of my cousin (WWII)

I sent this to my children and my brother (was born after WW II). It is easier to put it on paper than talk about it. I still can't.

http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/survivors-veterans-recall-buchenwald-horror-70-years-on/ar-AAaNc0H




My favorite cousin Hen van Dalen, the son of my father's sister, was there. He was with the Dutch resistance and was caught.

After the war the whole family came together, they lived in the Floresstraat across from my grandfather.

They must have thought I could not hear anything, I was 10. The stories were awful, he "lucked" out he had to make

lamp shades from human skin. He also met American pilots and loved them. I always had hoped to pay for his ticket

to visit the US and meet some veterans here. It was not meant to be, he died before I could afford it.

My father loved the family and visited them every week and told me the horror effected the whole family (3 kids).

His wife committed suicide. They had gotten married during the war they called it "met de handschoen",instead of

the groom there was a glove representing him.

When I was a little older I used to help him with his algebra, since he had not finished high school, I assume.

Memories I never forget. Tweet