One of the most defining periods of American history, World War II was a trying time for soldiers and their families all over the world. When the U.S. armed forces went to concentration camps around Germany and freed the innocent members inside, they were performing heroic acts that would go down in history – both for the country as well as the individuals they saved.
One survivor's story
Joshua Kaufman, now 87, is living in America with his family after being freed from a concentration camp 70 years ago, reported The Huffington Post. He was forced into the camp when he was a teenager, and his mother and all three of his siblings were killed in the Holocaust. However, Kaufman's life was saved by machine gunner Daniel Gillespie, a U.S. Army veteran just a few years his senior. Together, Gillespie and his team freed 30,000 prisoners at the camp – an accomplishment for which Kaufman is forever grateful.
Gillespie spends his life after service in California, where he also has a family of his own. The pair recently reunited for a documentary, "Dachau concentration camp – The hour of the liberators," that is set to air May 31, 2015, on History Germany. When they met, they were overcome with emotion. Kaufman saluted, hugged and kissed the veteran who saved him so long ago.
"I promised one day if I will come to America, any American soldier who I will see, I will fall down on my knees and I will hug him and I will kiss him," Kaufman told CBS Los Angeles.
Other stories of gratitude
Kaufman is just one of many survivors of the Holocaust to share their gratitude for their heroes. Martin Greenfield, who entered a concentration camp when he was 15 years old and was saved by U.S. soldiers several years later, wrote a book, "Measure of a Man: From Auschwitz Survivor to Presidents' Tailor," describing the details of his escape. He wrote an opinion piece in the New York Post that highlighted his appreciation for the armed forces and drew references to today's conflicts. He explained that, while the issues the country is currently experiencing may seem overwhelming, he has faith that the U.S. soldiers will push through this the same way they did all of the other times.
"America is bigger and stronger than the vexing problems we now face," he said. "Lest one doubt this, simply look at our nation's 2.4 million Armed Forces members. There you will find the best of us."