Today we saw the Brandenburg Gate where President Kennedy said those immortal words ” Ich bin ein Berliner.” We saw the summer palaces of Alexander 1st and the Sans Souci palace with its gorgeous fountain lined gardens. We visitied the Domed Cathedral and the Cecilienhof Palace where Truman, Stalin and Churchill met after the war to decide the fate of Germany.
However, now as I sit here on the bus for the 3 hour ride to Warnemunde I only have thoughts for the place I jus came from………Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp. We walked as the prisoners did up to the huge forboding iron gates that have the feared insignia of the SS on either side and in the middle the words ” Arbeit Macht Frei” which translates to ” work will give you freedom .”……..nothing was further than the truth as this was the place where 50,000 Jews, Russian soldiers and anyone who did not fit Hitler’s “Kampf” died. We listened to the stories from our expert guide about the tortue and we visited the cells and chambers where these acts were carried out. Then there were the stories about the children……..oh the children……I cannot even bring myself to write the words.
I asked yesterday if we should offer this tour and I see from your comments that you all agree we should. I admit to having misgivings but now I am positive we should.
I sit feeling heartbroken and purte unadaltarated anger for what I have seen but I know that we must offer guests a chance to experience what I just did……..and do as I just did and pray for those whom we must never forget.
I will write to say goodnight later.
John
Filed under: Europe, Travel | Tagged: Brandenburg Gate, Cecilienhof Palace, Domed Cathedral, Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp, Splendor Godmother
Going through the Holocaust Museum in Washington D.C was a bit nerve wracking. I can’t even imagine going to the actual camp. I will though, should I ever make it to Germany.
WE must always remember! Our poulation is getting younger and first hand memory of ww2 is growing dimmer. There has been talk of the Myth of concentration camps. It is a very sobering experience but a necessary one, we must always remember.
John and Heidi,
I think you are right to add this tour. Not everyone has the chance to visit or be humbled by the parts of our world history that have made us the people that we are. While this is a very atrocious part of history that many would rather not remeber, it is somthing that many feel compelled to see. And hopefully, by people seeing this and remembering all the loss, it wil never repeat itself. I can’t even imagine the impact this must have had on you or any others who have seen it. Not to mention those who have survived this camp or any other. I’m not sure how I would react myself walking in the same steps as someone who suffered at this camp… I know though, when I have seen this on TV or movie screens, it sickens and angers me to think that there are people in this world, even yet today who feel it is okay to torture people in such a way. It is however a part of our history and I pray no life should have to suffer in that way again.
Rest well tonight dear friends!
Barb
It’s nice to see history, but not all history is nice to see. Not everyone has a chance to see historical places. It’s nice to look back on history, it makes you wonder what the future will bring. Hope you are enjoying the sights. The shore excursions for the baltic looks very interesting. Waiting for the next blog The Bear
Sounds like a very educational tour.
Hello John, I just want to say that I love reading your blogs everyday. I thought I was addicted to Cruisecritics, I am now addicted to your Blog. My husband and I will be sailing on The Splendor on September 23, I cant wait.
Never Forget
Never Forget
Never Forget
Of course this tour should be offered.
Thank you for putting it into words John. You don’t know what this means to me.
David
John:
When we took our 2 boys to Israel in 2000, there was a special memorial to the Children of the Holocaust that is hauntingly moving, donated to Yad VaShem by a husband and wife whose own young child was murdered by the Nazis. It commemorates more than 1 1/2 million murdered children.
The room is so dark that you have to hold onto a railing as you walk through.
There is one candle that is lit and reflected by mirrors in such a way as to produce 1 1/2 million flickers of light. The names of each and every child are read over and over again.
This husband and wife team are the same couple that started the Spiegel catalog company here in America.
You (and Carnival) are very correct to offer this tour.
As many have said…we must not forget.
Linda
John,
I am so glad that a piece of history like Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp is offered for passengers to see. I really believe those who forget the past are doomed to repeat it.
While it is very hard to see it gives you a different view of things. I hope that you will post peoples thought on this excursion on your first few sailings, Carla
John, the emotions that you have experienced today, visiting the concentration camp, are so physically draining. It hurts so badly to recall the atrocities that took place in these facilities, I don’t know if I could visit one. The impression, I’m sure, will remain with you for the remainder of your years. Tonight, hold Heidi close, and remember the price of our freedom. As always, thank you for taking us along.
John…
God Bless you!! You saw horrors and memories of horrors committed and they will never leave you… BUT, know that they are not to haunt you, but to teach all of us. God Bless you!!
I have seen some camps in Germany and Israel’s museum… and I’ll never forget the visions… How could humans do this to humans??
You’re a good man John!!!
Regards,
Lambie
Absolutely offer the tour. There are those who say it is a myth….they should be made to stand in these places and feel the spirits of the people that were murdered so mindlessly and coldly.
Never forget….
Oh John,
I write this with tears in my eyes. Thank you for sharing. I second David.
John,
Thank you for sharing this day with us. I know it wasn’t easy, and I’m sure it is a life changing experience. I’m glad you are considering this tour for Carnival. I’m also glad you did not post any pictures of the camp.
I agree, go to bed, hug Hedi, and count your blessings. I know I will tonight.
Princess Susan
Hi John: Thank you for sharing your thoughts about the concentration camps, I at first thought it would be too painful and didn’t think people would want to experience that, I for one knew a family where the wife lost her entire family (mother, father, brothers and sister) yet she managed to survive and get out. I always felt so sorry for their family – she was married and had a son my age who never got to meet his grandparents or aunt and uncles on his mothers side. It left an impression on me, but after reading what you had to say I agree now it is a MUST see, so yes I believe it should be a tour on that cruise. Can’t wait to hear what else you have to say later on. Your friend, Linda
John,
I concur with the other bloggers. It is our responsibility as human beings to make sure such happenings are not forgotten and never repeated. Those who choose not to see the camp will have plenty of other offerings.
The only other suggestion I would have would be to try to tailor the evening’s entertainment around the moods of the passengers. Maybe that would not be an appropriate night for a blockbuster show.This is probably something you would not know until you have gone through it a couple of times. The guests may want something subdued-or not.
I am only suggesting looking into this angle from personal experience. My husband and I visited the USS Arizona Memorial on a cruise and we decided we did not want to be entertained that night.
Great work, as usual, John. All of your efforts and trials are appreciated.
Dear John & Heidi,
Like everyone has said before me – Never Forget!
Words can’t express the emotions just reading what you and everyone else wrote.
Please get some rest,
Carol
John my heart aches not only for your sorrow of today but for the thousands that died in Sachsenhausen and the other camps as well. Oh how many blessings we now have – shall we never forget those that died and never forget just how fortunate we are now. A day like you experienced today puts things in perspective and makes lifes daily little complaints so terribly insignificant.
My best to you and Heidi, rest well.
Hi John. Frustrating and agonizing as your visit was, I am reminded of the famous saying, and I am sorry I don’t recall who said it, perhaps Churchill:
“those who do not study history are doomed to repeat it”. Your visit was not in vain, and painful as it was, and will be for visitors, it is well worth it.
Keep up the great work, your stories are fascinating and above all humourous!
Blair
John… your reaction… it was the same as mine. I couldn’t bring it into words – I kept a journal that summer, like your blog, although no one read mine, and I couldn’t bring myself to write it. Now I’m dwelling upon old memories… sigh…
Mama Sheriff and I visited the Holocaust Museum in Washington, DC back in October. You are right to add this tour. The great Sheriff says: If we forget about history, we are doomed to repeat it.
Oh John, only 26 more days until there is a new Sheriff on the Glory. Do you need our “cell” number to have the Moonshine delivered?
Thanks!
Rosco P. Coltrane
Sheriff
I agree, this tour should be offered. History is history and it shouldn’t be ignored. However, I believe it would be in everyone’s interest if you posted a significant warning about what it entails. Glad Heidi is back with you. Starfish don’t roll ‘downhill’ easily.
John, I agree that the tour should be offered. On a school trip to Germany (accompanied by teachers) my DD (16 at the time) visited one of the concentration camps as just one part of the trip. The whole trip was a life-changing experience, but this stop in particular made a lasting impression on her. She said “Before this trip, it was all just boring words in a history book. After the trip, she understood what they were trying to teach, and why it was important.” Made the expense truly worth it.
Diane from Texas
Yes, John. This is one tour that must be included. Thanks.
We have to remember the terrible events of that dark period in history, jest they be repeated.
We must also lay the past to one side and move forward together, in order that all mankind can hope to live side by side on this small planet.
(Then when those Martians come, we can really whup their ass!!!)
John, I agree with ,all the other comments that this tour should be offered but it should be made clear what the experience will do to the emotions. I could probably handle it if no one wanted to discuss the horrors later. Yes, we must never forget!
Good morning Mr. Heald. Thank you for agreeing to to put the concentration camp on the cruise agenda. The poor souls that had been there will thank you for they will be prayed upon while people are there. Ciao.
Paul F. Pietrangelo
i sent my girls to the holocaust museum with their school when they were each in the eighth grade. they have never been the same. they wont be forgetting anytime soon how those people died. we should always be offered a chance to learn more. thanks for suggesting it for the cruise.
Yes, John, the tour of the concentration camp needs to be offered. This is part of history and many people will want to see the place where many of their relatives died. We must always remember what happened at these camps, and we must pray that nothing like this ever happens again.
See you in August on the Splendor.