In today’s San Jose Mercury News, I read about two Holocaust survivors and their long friendship that included five years in Auschwitz and Sachsenhausen concentration camps.
Remnants of the Berlin Wall
For those of us who grew up during the Cold War, the Berlin Wall was a stark symbol of Communist oppression in concrete and barbed wire. Living in the United States, it was difficult to imagine the lives of East Berliners, separated from their families and freedom on the other side of the wall. In November, 1989 when the wall was finally brought down, the surprising news was greeted with joyful tears and cheers around the world.
Portals of the Past
Larger than Central Park in New York City, San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park has much to offer in natural beauty, recreational venues, cultural attractions and events. It also provides a glimpse into the city’s history at Portals of the Past on the edge of Lloyd Lake. This marble-columned entranceway is…
War and Peace on Battle Road
Autumn colors attract many visitors to New England and other parts of the northeastern United States. While enjoying the seasonal changes in temperature and foliage, there are many early American historical sites to explore.
New England Holocaust Memorial
I was quite moved by the simple, yet powerful message of the New England Holocaust Memorial in Boston. There is a path that runs beneath the six glass towers representing the main Nazi concentration camps — Majdanek, Chelmno, Sobibor, Treblinka, Belzec, and Auschwitz-Birkenau. Etched in the glass are six million…
Blarney Lips on the Blarney Stone
Kissing the Blarney Stone at Blarney Castle
Glimpses of a Golden Age at Filoli
“Fight for a just cause. Love your fellow man. Live a good life.” Taking the first two letters of each part of his motto, William Bourn named his lavish country estate Filoli.
A Star for the Soldier
Standing as a powerful symbol of French military victories is the Arc de Triomphe at the Place Charles de Gaulle, also known as l’Etoile, the Star.