Did you ever have a hero? Here is one of mine.. A Holocaust Hero

[JuniperLea]

I grew up with his daughter, Anna Marie, in Lomita, CA.

"Staying in Jaap's house were a young Dutch couple who had done quite a lot of underground things. They had good false papers, and they were coming and going all the time. After they arrested Jaap at the factory, the Germans came to their house, so of course, the couple hid.

As I was leaving, Jaap's wife said, "What should I do about them?"

"I'll take them out of your way. There's enough misery here." So I took them with me to Huizen, and they stayed in our house for a couple of months."


"We had a big kitchen and living room, two bedrooms, and a very large hall. At first Henny, Pam, and Ans were living with us on the second floor, over the store. Later on, when we had more Jewish people, we used the attic on the third floor.

My wife was smarter and much more practical than I was. Right away when Henny came, she told me to build a hiding place, in case the situation got worse. She and Henny were really pressing me, but I was busy, and couldn't see the use of it. Maybe I was more optimistic than they were. I took things easy and let the consequences come later. But they were simply trying to help themselves. Finally it penetrated that they were right, and I built it. It's good that our family had that place, too, because later on it saved our lives."

"After Jopie had been with us for about a year she asked my wife if she could take a week's vacation. I went off to Amsterdam for a buying trip the same day she left. When I came back the house was very quiet. It was after closing time. Only my wife and Diet were there. "What happened?" I asked. Annie told me the story.

That morning Peter had helped Jopie carry her suitcase to the streetcar. When he came back he said, "That suitcase was awfully heavy. I don't trust her. And, she left this box for me to drop off at the post office. I think we should take a look." So they opened the package, and it was all stolen stuff: toothbrushes, nice pieces of soap--pre-war quality, and all from the store. She must have been stealing and hiding those things for months. But that was nothing compared to the letter they found.

"Dear Jopie, When you go away on vacation we'll get the Jews out of the house." It was written in German. She was engaged to a German soldier!"

A lot more and some great photos at the link...


http://www.humboldt.edu/~rescuers/book/Bochove/bcontents.html


One lazy afternoon, Anna Marie and I were lounging around her bedroom, playing guitar and laughing it up. Lizbertus Bochove came into the room and asked us what our high school taught us about the holocaust... we looked at each other... I said, all I knew is that it had something to do with Hitler... Anna looked as though she knew what was coming... she may have heard the stories a hundred times, but I hadn't. I was glued to my chair and I don't think I blinked for a couple of hours.

Another time at Anna Marie's house, her father told us to come out of the room and come watch what was on the television. I saw for the first time in my life the horrific images... I'll never forget those days when I learned about history in a most pure form, first hand, from the mouth of a man who helped shape it.

Do you have a hero that you knew personally? I do. Bert Bochove. I'll never forget him.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. My hero played a Danish doctor who hid Jews in his home

during WWII and helped them escape until he and his children had to escape themselves ("Miracle at Midnight"). Your hero's story sounds like one that is worth making into an inspirational film as well.

[JuniperLea]

2. I thought the same thing

In the 80's, People Magazine did a big write-up on him. That was the first time I saw those stories in print and it stunned me. I Googled his name today because of an argument I had with someone here on DU:) There are too many pages to look through in one sitting that mention his name.

I think I need to find Anna Marie... I may need to write a screenplay... I know a Jewish film producer... this could get interesting...

[koopie57]

3. My son was segmenting

for his third degree black belt. He also has been teaching karate since he was 14, he is now 17. After the test, a grandma told him, "Thank you for being my grandson's hero". It brought tears to my eyes.

[JuniperLea]

4. Wow!

That is so cool! Such a tender age to become a hero!

Here's to many more... whatever you would call the person to whom you are a hero! ha!

:toast:

[NanceGreggs]

5. Yes, a man who I spoke to many times ...

... and yet we never exchanged names.

He owned and ran a deli in the underground concourse (a type of pedestrian subway system, that runs beneath a major part of the city here in Toronto). I used to go down and grab a sandwich when I was working late (which was pretty much always). We used to chat. He had grown up in a wealthy family in Africa; they lost everything when Idi Amin came to power, and settled in Europe. He, the youngest son, emigrated to Canada.

I was working really late one night, and decided to go down to the underground to see if maybe he was still open for business, so I could grab something to eat. Now, the underground, in those days, was filled every night with homeless people, trying to keep warm in the winter months.

I saw his deli from a distance, and figured he must still be open (everyone else had closed hours before) because there was a line-up of about thirty men at the counter. As I got closer, I recognized all of the homeless men I'd seen so many times late at night.

My nameless friend was open for business -- but only for these men, and free of charge. He waited on each one individually, with all of the courtesy he regularly showed his paying customers. "What can I get for you tonight, sir? Ham on rye? Good choice! Did you want dark rye, or light? Toasted or plain? Would you like mustard on that? Good! Dark mustard or light, regular or extra spicy? Could I interest you in some potato salad to go with that? I wouldn't recommend the apple pie; it's been sitting here too long. But the rice pudding is fresh -- and maybe some whipped cream on that, too?"

The homeless men took their plates, full of food that they had chosen, and sat down at the tables. They laughed, and chatted; they talked about politics, or joked about their plight, reminisced about better days.

The Deli Man man taught me something of value. I often give money to the homeless people who still populate the underground. But that is neither here nor there. What is important is that when I chat with these people, which I frequently do, I never forget to use the terms "sir" and "ma'am". Giving money or food to the less fortunate is a good thing to do. But to give another human being the dignity of being treated as not only an equal, but as a revered human being worthy of respect, is truly priceless.

I don't know where the Deli Man is - but he truly gave ME something of value. I am forever in his debt. To me, he will always be a hero.

[JuniperLea]

6. Great story!

Wow... just, wow.

I'm big on showing respect and treating everyone the same. The parking attendant at work gets the same "Good morning, Sir... Thank you , Sir" etc. that I give to the boss and the company owner. So do the security guards, the deli workers, anyone I come into contact with on a daily basis. I've noticed my kids doing it as well.

Again, great story. I'll be thinking about this one for a long time.