Introduction by Bob Jensen
"The European Atrocity You Never Heard About," by R.M. Douglas,
Chronicle of Higher Education, June 11, 2012 ---
http://chronicle.com/article/The-European-Atrocity-You/132123/?sid=cr&utm_source=cr&utm_medium=en
Jensen Comment
After World War II ended, my wife's family was forced off their Czechoslovakia
farm at gun point. Being only five years old, Erika never knew why they were
forced to be refuges walking on the road. She was told that the soldiers
pointing guns at them were "communists." Erika with her mother, grandparents,
and Tante Pepe headed for Germany, but the Germans were blocking Czech
immigrants at border check points even if they were German speaking refuges
seeking shelter. Erika was eventually smuggled across the border to the bombed
out, dark, and cold Regensburg train depot on a Christmas eve.
The rest of the story ---
A Year 2000 message of love from my wife, Erika.
She describes how a Munich street urchin became Cinderella filled with love
and joy ---
http://faculty.trinity.edu/rjensen/erika/xmas00.htm
·
A Year 2001 message of love from my wife,
Erika
See Holiday Greetings Below:
HAPPY HOLIDAYS FOR THE YEAR
2001
by Erika Jensen
The Year 2001 for us was full and rewarding. Our travels included a wonderful trip all
across Germany. My German relatives
were generous hosts in various cities.
I will long remember the three happy days I spent with my sister
(Mariane), my sister-in-law (Pepe), and Bob in Munich. Then when Bob went on to work in Berlin,
Marine and I had a few days in Regensburg visiting our very dear friends. Then I joined Bob in Berlin for the fancy
parties at night.
The big event for Bob this year was the announcement
that he will receive the American Accounting Association’s Year 2002
Outstanding Accounting Educator Award (the official ceremony will be at the AAA
Annual Meetings in August. By chance,
these meetings are in our hometown in San Antonio this year) --- http://aaahq.org/meetings/default.cfm
The sad part of this year for me followed the
infamous September 11 attack. I could
not tear myself away from the news accounts.
These were terrifying for me, because I hoped and prayed that I would no
longer bear witness to the horrors of war and memories long forgotten.
When one friend cries, the other friends taste the
salt of the tears. We as Americans
tasted salty, bitter tears this past year.
All of our lives changed.
Eleanor Roosevelt once said it wouldn’t hurt this
country if a bomb fell on it once. A
strange thing to say since I know first hand what it’s like to have bombs drop
all around you.
As many of my friends know, my family went through
the Second World War. After the war we
were refugees and went to Germany where there was nothing but rubble where
buildings once stood. Even my first
school was no exception. Whenever it
rained, another classroom would collapse.
There are many bad memories I pushed to the back of my mind, but I never
forgot the hunger since food was so scarce.
However, in those dark times came hope in the form
of the U.S. Army in Munich! The
Americans saved our lives with food. My
first Christmas in the burned, bombed out schoolhouse they came and brought us
food. Oranges, apples, etc. and candy
bars; it was wonderful. We started
getting farina and oatmeal, which we called Quaker Rations. Much later I learned why the name O.R…
This year on September 11, the aircraft used as
bombs in NYC and Washington DC made us all realize how much we need one another
and how much we can and do come together in time of crisis. We feel each other’s pain and share the
healing.
America — United means that loyal citizens of all
backgrounds and faith stand together in the face of adversity. Our Nation is like a beautiful patchwork
quilt, which each nationality and people are a piece of cloth and together we
form this Quilt, sectioned together by love and caring for each other. We have our differences, but in time of
turmoil we come together and help each other.
This year made most of us realize how blessed and
lucky we are to live here in America.
There is a Great Power behind this Universe who is responsible for all Good
and Love, may he bless you this season and throughout all the years!
Erika
(and Bob) Jensen
9010 Village Drive, San Antonio, TX 78217
http://faculty.trinity.edu/rjensen/