Klarinet Archive - Posting 001287.txt from 2000/12

From: alevin@-----. Levin)
Subj: Re: [kl] Re: Wlach the Nazi
Date: Thu, 28 Dec 2000 15:44:18 -0500

I didn't want to dwell on this thread; but I must relate a story.

In high school - in 1962 - my German language class was assigned an
exchange teacher from Germany by the name of Hans Ramin. Since there were
several Jewish students in the class (actually all of the Jewish males), we
were not looking forward to the year, and we were working on our adolescent
notion of retribution.

On the first day of class Hans asked for a few minutes off topic (an
unusual courtesy in itself). He then addressed himself to the war. He
described the rise of Nazism and the feelings within his own family. He
described his own service in the eastern front. He said specifically that
EVERYONE knew what was happening; but that no one he knew - himself
included - had the courage to object. He acknowledged that many people
didn't object because they saw "benefits" in ethnic cleansing. He
described (for the first time in my recollection) the pogroms against
Gypsies, communists, the infirm, homosexuals and Slavs, as well as Jews.
He did not seek forgiveness because (he said) one could not forgive the
unforgivable.

We were not convinced; but we did give him the benefit of the doubt. He
proved his sincerity over time.

Throughout the 90's he and I corresponded. By the time of his death, two
years ago, we counted each other as close friends. I retain noble memories
and the sentiments of a deeply moving letter from his widow as some of the
great treasures of my life.

I might mention that he was a tank driver in the war. He never got a
driving license until he came to the States. It showed. He managed to
drive his VW bus through almost every hedge in my neighborhood until he
learned to stay on the road!

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