zest aug 2015

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FFoorr 5500++ lliivviinnggZestFrom small-town festivals to county fairs, find a reason to celebrate all summer

Wanda Nordlie,an Army nurse in 1945,returns to Austria 70 years after Americantroops liberated Naziconcentration camps

Tips for managing a‘boomerang’ household

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Hutchinson Jayceeshonor Skip Quade and Bonnie Westmiller for their contributions to the community

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Fun in the sun

2 ZEST | AUGUST 2015

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In the news: Meet2015 Mr. Hutchinson Skip Quade and Woman ofthe Year Bonnie Westmiller,whom the HutchinsonJaycees selected based on their contributions to the community

Cover story:Summer is in high gear,

and there are numerous areacelebrations, fairs and festivalsthrough early September

AUGUST 2015 | ZEST 3

PUBLISHED BYLitchfield Independent ReviewP.O. Box 307, Litchfield, MN 55355320-693-3266

Hutchinson Leader170 Shady Ridge Road NW, Suite 100Hutchinson, MN 55350320-587-5000

PUBLISHERBrent [email protected]

EDITORJuliana [email protected] Litchfield office320-234-4172 Hutchinson office

CONTRIBUTING WRITERSKay Johnson

ADVERTISING DIRECTORKevin [email protected]

SUBSCRIPTION OR ADDRESS CHANGE

Michelle [email protected]

PRINTED BYCrow River Press170 Shady Ridge Road NWHutchinson, MN 55350

Zest is published monthly by theLitchfield Independent Review andHutchinson Leader newspapers. No part ofthis publication may be reproduced, storedin a retrieval system, or transmitted in anyform by means, electronic, mechanical, pho-tocopying, recording or otherwise, withoutthe prior consent of the publisher.

AUGUST 2015Vol. 6 No. 6

ZestFFoorr 5500++ lliivviinngg Senior spotlight:Wanda Nordlie of Litchfield returnsto Austria with her husband, Don,so she can participate in a ceremonymarking the 70th anniversary of the liberation of the Nazi concentration camp in Ebensee

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CONTENTS

6 Money matters: Tips for managing a boomerang household

14 Recipes: Buffalo Chicken Tacos; Easy Raspberry Sorbet

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5�

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ummer is in full swing, and many of you havebeen enjoying the weather and outdoor communi-ty events.

For our readers, we’ve included a listing packed withfun activities, festivals and fairs that are happening in thearea through early September. Grab your sunglasses, andmaybe some sunscreen, and be a part of these small-towncelebrations — whether it’s driving a tractor in the ForestCity Thresher Days tractor parade, or attending the sen-ior citizen programs at the McLeod County Fair andMeeker County Fair. There are numerous opportunities toenjoy all that our communities have to offer.

While I don’t often write more than one lengthy storyabout the same person, I made an exception this monthfor a woman whose military life seems to have come fullcircle. In honor of Veterans Day in November, I wroteabout Wanda Nordlie of Litchfield. She was a nurse in theU.S. Army in the early to mid-1940s. After Americantroops liberated a Nazi concentration camp May 6, 1945,in Ebensee, Austria, Nordlie arrived with the Army’s139th Evacuation Hospital. She and others went into thecamp to care for former prisoners who were too sick toleave.

About five years ago (65 years later) she met one ofthose prisoners who was from Hungary but now lives inOhio. He arranged a trip for Nordlie and her husband,Don, to visit Ebensee in May to take part in an elaboratecommemoration marking the 70th anniversary of the lib-

eration. She was the only U.S. serv-ice member to participate in the cer-emony, which included speeches bysurvivors and children of survivors,as well as by local and federal digni-taries. Read as Nordlie, 92, recallsthe experience of returning to thesite of the former concentrationcamp.

Also in the magazine, we featureSkip Quade and Bonnie Westmiller.The Hutchinson Jaycees honoredthese two remarkable people in lateJune during Hutchinson’s WaterCarnival. Read about how they have contributed to thecommunity in so many wonderful ways.

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Normally, I would include the following brief in our cal-endar of events. However, this month, the calendar is alisting of summer celebrations.

Minnesota Brain Injury Force offers free brain-boostingworkshops at 6 p.m. on the third Thursday of the month(May through October) at Hutchinson Health, Room F. InAugust, Dr. Sarah Peters will discuss what the brainneeds to heal and thrive. In September, the focus will beon sleep solutions and stress management. For more infor-mation visit the website: www.MNBIF.org.

S

Juliana ThillEditor

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During Hutchinson Jaycees WaterCarnival in June, a man and a womanare selected each year for the Mr.Hutchinson and Woman of the Yearawards. Vice Commodore JeremyCarter and his wife, Bethany, selectedthis year’s winners. According to theCarters,Mr.Hutchinson Skip Quade andWoman of the Year Bonnie Westmillerhave made significant contributions tothe community.

— By Kay Johnson, contributing writer

Mr. Hutchinson Skip Quade

BY VICE COMMODORE JEREMY CARTER

I am truly honored to present thisaward to Skip Quade, a man that hastouched so many lives in and aroundour community.

Here are some of the things peoplesaid in support of Skip’s nomination:

“He has shown us to be one ofHutchinson’s strongest advocates,guiding the community using hisleadership skills.”

Skip’s many contributions to thecity of Hutchinson include youthsports and youth activity programs,community projects such as theHutchinson Farmers Market, McLeodCounty Veterans Park, fundraisingfor local facilities and promoting thedowntown business district.

He is a supporter of wildlife conser-vation efforts and is a lifetime mem-ber of Gopher Campfire ConservationClub. He has also been involved inthe Elks Club, Ridgewater CollegeFoundation, McLeod County 4-H andTwin Point Gun Club.

Quade was born and raised inHutchinson, quarterbacked theHutchinson High School footballteam, and graduated with the HHSclass of 1953. He received a bachelor’sdegree from Macalester College in1957, where he met the love of hislife, Bobbi, and to whom he was mar-ried for 30 years. Upon his return to

Hutchinson, Quade worked for thefamily business. When his father,Howard, retired, he took over expand-ing both the sporting goods and elec-trical businesses.

Skip is also following his father inanother way — as Mr. Hutchinson.His dad, Howard Quade, was honoredin 1980.

The new Mr. Hutchinson may tellyou his life philosophy has been “Funfirst, career second,” and if that istruly the case, he has packed a lot offun into his lifetime that has trulymade a significant impact on many.

Woman of the Year Bonnie Westmiller

BY SECOND MATE BETHANY CARTER

Our new Woman of the Year issomeone who has touched the lives ofmany people and I am excited for herto join our royal family and representHutchinson.

“When asked to help, she goesbeyond what is asked of her.”

Another quote stated, “Her willing-ness to help, always with a smile onher face, her kindness, her never say-ing a bad word about anyone, and hergenuine interest in others, makes herthe kind of friend anyone would wantto have.”

Our new Woman of the Year was

born in 1953 in Litchfield. She gradu-ated from Grove City High School in1971. After high school, Bonnieattended Hutchinson VocationalSchool, now known as RidgewaterCollege, and graduated with a degreein accounting. She worked as anaccountant at Shopko for two yearswhen she was approached about anopportunity to work at Citizens Bankin 1973. She retired from the bank inDecember 1998. She married MarkWestmiller. They shared 23 years ofmarriage before he died in 2009.

Bonnie is a downtown buildingowner and leases space to tenants.

She is a member of Christ the KingLutheran Church. She has served asa leader on church council, call com-mittee, task forces, and is a trustedmusic resource and trusted friend.She can be heard playing the organ atchurch services, weddings, funeralsand special occasions.

She was one of the first women tojoin the Kiwanis.

For several summers, Bonnieserved on the committee that organ-ized Music in the Park. She also hashelped plant flowers in the plantersin downtown Hutchinson.

This quote from a nomination letterbest sums Bonnie Westmiller: “Shedeserves to be Woman of the Yearbecause she always puts everyoneelse first.”

Jaycees honor Quade, WestmillerHoward “Skip”Quade andBonnieWestmillerwere namedthe new Mr.Hutchinsonand Woman ofthe Year,respectively,duringHutchinson’sWater Carnivalqueen pageantJune 19.

PHOTO BY KAY JOHNSON

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IN THE NEWS


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|MONEY MATTERS

Due to recent economic reali-ties, multi-generational liv-ing has been on the rise for

many families.A 2014 Pew Research Center analy-

sis showed that a record 57 millionAmericans, equal to a little more than18 percent of the U.S. population,lived in multi-generational familyhouseholds in 2012 — double thenumber in 1980. The major driverwas young adults aged 25-34.According to Pew, nearly 24 percentof these older millennials lived inmulti-generational households, anincrease from nearly 19 percent in2007 and 11 percent in 1980.

It’s possible the “boomerang” familytrend will remain in place for sometime to come. For homeowner parentswho also might be juggling the “sand-wich” responsibilities of caring forolder relatives, paying attention tothe financial and behavioral details oftaking in family is critical.

Here are suggestions to consider:� Your finances come first. Operating a full house means high-

er utility and food costs and addition-al wear and tear on the property.Taking in family also shouldn’t deraila parent’s career goals or retirementplanning, nor should it diminishother necessary financial objectiveslike maximizing savings or eliminat-ing debt. That’s why dual- or single-parent households might begin with acomplete financial assessment beforewelcoming kids or elders back home.A discussion with qualified financialand tax advisers might be worthwhileto determine how much expense youcan take on. For arrangements thatgo beyond free lodging to direct cashsupport of family members, gift taxissues should be explored.

� Make a real agreement.A home is stability and therefore

something of significant value. Thatis why it is appropriate to considerrent or request in-kind services inexchange for room and board. Youngadults — particularly those who werefully under parental support in col-lege — need to learn this importantlesson even if they are moving hometo save money to pay off loans, to buy

a car or put a down payment on ahome. Ask trusted advisers aboutwhat makes sense in your situation.If you decide to accept rent, knowthere are potential tax issues(www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc415.html)based on the structure, timeframeand expenses related to such anagreement. Legal paperwork mightbe required, but there also might berental expenses you can deduct.

� Establish timelines. In the real world, financial arrange-

ments are rarely open-ended.Depending on the financial, tax andlegal advice you receive, as well aslocal tenant law and personal prefer-ences, you might be signing an officiallease for your family member’s staywith a specific timeline of months oryears. Whatever the requirements,make sure you have an effectiveframework that sets specific financialand behavioral rules you want met.

� Start with a family meeting.Before moving trucks arrive, family

members should meet for a discus-sion about the impending move. Startby letting your child or family mem-ber talk through why they want tomove in, whether they have financialgoals tied to the living arrangementand how long they plan to stay. Sharethe structure you envision, includingthe payment details you would con-sider. No matter how agreement isstruck, it should begin with a full dis-cussion of needs, preferences, finan-cial terms, and most of all, ways tomake the arrangement successful andsmooth. Once the move happens, reg-ular conversations should continueabout the living arrangement. Afterall, boomerang families have unique,ongoing financial issues that willrequire discussion.

� Prepare to track expenses. Once agreed, retrofit your house-

hold budget to keep track of higherfood, utility and related expenses forcost-sharing and potential tax purpos-es. Having people you love living withyou can have rewards that go beyondsimple dollars, but always know whatthe arrangement is costing you.

Bottom line: Opening your home toreturning family members is a realfinancial commitment. Think throughmoney, tax and household issuesbefore you say yes.

Jason AldermanSenior director of financial education programsat Visa Inc.

Openingyour hometo returningfamily mem-bers is a realfinancialcommit-ment.Thinkthroughmoney, taxand house-hold issuesbefore yousay yes.

Managing a ‘boomerang’ household



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July-AugustMeeker County Fair: July 30-Aug. 2

It’s the “Fairest Days of Summer”for county residents. Visit Litchfieldfor the Meeker County Fair. Peopleage 65 and older can ride the FerrisWheel for free from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.July 31. There will be a senior citizenprogram at 1 p.m. July 31 in the band-shell. The Flemming-Fold family fromsouthern Minnesota will performbluegrass, country, old-time, gospeland folk music with yodeling at 1:30p.m. Doug Ohman of PioneerPhotography will give a talk on his-toric churches of Minnesota at 7:30p.m. July 31 at the church. SherwinLinton will perform at 1 p.m. and 6p.m. Aug. 2 at the bandshell. The fairalso will feature traditional activitiessuch as exhibits and showing of live-stock, live music and demolition der-bies.

‘The Fantasticks’: July 30, 31and Aug. 1, 6, 7, 8Hutchinson Theatre Co. will pres-

ent “The Fantasticks.” It’s a parableabout love, and tells the story of a boyand a girl next door, whose parentshave built a wall to keep them apart.The story is based on the notion thatchildren — of whatever age — cannotfall in love unless their love is forbid-den. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Showstarts at 7 p.m. at Hutchinson MiddleSchool. Tickets are $18 per person.

Watkins Kraut ‘N’ Wurst Days:July 31-Aug. 1

Residents celebrate their Germanheritage with activities that includesa parade, cow drop raffle, and a feastof bratwurst and sauerkraut.

Pola-Czesky Days: July 31-Aug. 2Silver Lake’s annual celebration

includes a queen coronation, classiccar show, live music, a flea market,parade, tractor pull, a polka Mass onSaturday, and parade on Sunday.

AugustStoney Point concert: Aug. 3

Stoney Point, which plays folk, clas-sic, and pop music, will perform a con-cert in the park at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 3 inLibrary Square Park along MainStreet in Hutchinson.

Marv Nissel Band: Aug. 6Marv Nissel Band will perform a

free concert at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 6 atCentral Park, Sibley Avenue North indowntown Litchfield.

Heatwole Threshing Show: Aug. 7-8Take in threshing demonstrations

with more than 150 tractors on dis-play. Crafts and flea market vendors,blacksmith shop, engines and equip-ment displays, and other demonstra-tions on Walden Avenue, six milessouthwest of Hutchinson.

Winsted Summer Festival: Aug. 7-9The city celebration includes a car

show, sports tournaments, live music,

pork chop dinner, polka Mass, parade,fireworks, and coronation.

Darwin Twine Ball Celebration: Aug. 8

Dubbed the World’s Largest TwineBall Collected by One Person, thespherical collection is celebrated witha parade, mini-rod races, craft fair,and pork chop dinner.

Antique Car Run: Aug. 8The New London to New Brighton

Antique Car Run with vehicles from1908 and earlier covers 120 miles,including traveling through MeekerCounty, making stops in Grove City,Litchfield and Kingston.

Captain Gravitone & The StringTheory Orchestra: Aug. 10

Captain Gravitone & The StringTheory Orchestra, which plays amusical mix, will perform a concert inthe park at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 10 inLibrary Square Park in Hutchinson.

Cokato Corn Carnival: Aug. 10-12The carnival offers free corn on the

cob, a parade and live music.

Mary Guentzel Quintet: Aug. 13Mary Guentzel Quintet will per-

form a free concert at 6:30 p.m. Aug.13 at Central Park, Sibley AvenueNorth in downtown Litchfield.

It might seem like summer iswinding down. However, there

are still numerous festivals,fairs, community celebrations,plays, and musicals in McLeod

and Meeker counties for people to attend, volunteer ator participate in throughoutAugust and into September

Summer sizzles with celebrations

The Flemming-Fold family will per-form July 31 at the Meeker CountyFair in Litchfield.

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The Hutchinson Clown Club enjoysentertaining children.


Grove City AugustFest: Aug. 13-16 Grove City celebrates summer with

a tractor pull, mud volleyball, horse-shoe, trap shooting, classic car show,petting zoo, arts and crafts, parade,and talent show.

MusicFest 2015: Aug. 14-16Polka Lovers Klub of America will

present Music Fest 2015 at Pla-MorBallroom, 1904 Ninth St. E., Glencoe.Polka bands will perform throughoutthe weekend.

Minnesota Garlic Festival: Aug. 15The 10th annual Minnesota Garlic

Festival Aug. 15 in Hutchinson is afamily friendly event. It features fra-grant food, chefs, music, artisans, andactivities for all ages from 10 a.m. to 6p.m. at the McLeod County Fair-grounds.

Forest City Stockade Rendezvous:Aug. 15-16

The stockade, a replica of a fort builtby Forest City residents during the

1862 Dakota Conflict, is home to avariety of old-fashioned activities,demonstrations and food. Some recon-structed period buildings include anewspaper office, church, woodwrightshop, gun shop, pottery and candle-making shop, and a school.

Forest City Thresher Days:Aug. 15-16

Thresher Days include a tractorparade, displays of antique tractorsand other farm equipment, along withthreshing and corn shredding demon-strations.

McLeod County Fair: Aug. 19-23Visit Hutchinson for the McLeod

County Fair. The senior citizen’s pro-gram begins at 1 p.m. Aug. 19, featur-ing entertainment by Sugar Loom fol-lowed by Wally Pikal. The WhiteSidewalls will perform at 5:30 p.m.Sunday, Aug. 23. The fair also includestraditional activities, such as exhibitsand showing livestock, carnival rides,exhibitors, live music, AutoCross anddemolition derbies.

SeptemberDassel Red Rooster Days: Sept. 4-7

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Wally Pikal will perform Aug. 19 atthe McLeod County Fair inHutchinson.

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COVER STORY

Seventy years have passedsince Wanda Nordlie caredfor dozens of former prison-ers inside a liberated Naziconcentration camp in

Ebensee, Austria.The prison has all but vanished, yet

the memories remain vivid. Gone are the lice-infested barracks

covered in human feces. Gone are thestarving men who looked like walkingskeletons. Gone is the stench of rot-ting, dead bodies.

Today, in place of the Ebensee con-centration camp stands a clean, mod-ern residential neighborhood. In thecenter of town, ZeitgeschichteMuseum documents Austria’s historyfrom 1918 to 1955. And a prisonercemetery, garden and memorialsreflect on what happened within thewalls of the Nazi concentration camp.

“There were bad times there. Butwhen you work amongst such horriblethings, you just have to swallow it andget to work,” recalled Nordlie, whoworked as a ward nurse with the U.S.

Army’s 139th Evacuation Hospitalthat entered the concentration campafter it was liberated May 6, 1945.

“I don’t think any of us ever shed atear (at the time). We didn’t have timefor such foolishness. Now, I can justthink about it and tear up,” said the92-year-old Litchfield woman, as tearsspilled down her cheeks.

Nordlie, withher husband,Don, returnedto the site of theconcentrationcamp in May totake part in Ebensee’s ceremonymarking the 70th anniversary of thecamp’s liberation by American troops.

The Nordlies traveled to Ebenseewith Don’s nephew, Jon Leasia and hiswife, Judith, of Denver.

In Austria, they joined AndySternberg — a survivor of four concen-tration camps, including the one inEbensee where Nordlie worked — aswell as author Dr. Richard Macdonaldof Illinois.


Wanda Nordlie andher husband, Don,travel to Austria

to mark the 70th anniversary

of American troops liberating a Nazi

concentration campin Ebensee. As anArmy nurse, shecared for formerprisoners too sickto leave the camp.

Reuniting to remember

SUBMITTED PHOTO

Photographers capture a rare reunion in May as Don and Wanda Nordlie of Litchfield, front row left, stand at whatwas once a Nazi concentration camp in Ebensee, Austria.With them are former concentration camp prisoner,Andy Sternberg of Hungary who now lives in Ohio, second from right, and Austria’s Minister for Internal AffairsJohanna Mikl-Leitner, right. Behind them are the Nordlies’ nephew and his wife, Jon and Judith Leasia of Denver.

By Juliana ThillEDITOR

Macdonald wrote the book, “Insidethe Gates,” about the Ebensee concen-tration camp, and he included some ofNordlie’s recollections. His late father,Hugh Macdonald, was the commandingofficer of the Army’s 139th EvacuationHospital and Nordlie’s supervisor.

“One of the joys of knowing Wanda isthat she has many stories about myfather as her commanding officer,”Macdonald said.

Based on memories Nordlie sharedabout standing up to a Russian officerand U.S. Army Gen. George Patton,Macdonald envisioned her as a spitfirein the 1940s. Yet, today, “she is one ofthe sweetest persons I have ever met,”he said. However, he added, afterspending time with the Nordlies,Macdonald said he can tell, “She stillhas that spitfire spirit in her.”

Nordlie and Sternberg were two ofthe featured speakers at the Inter-national Liberation CommemorationMay 9 in Ebensee. Also speaking at theceremony were other Nazi concentra-tion camp survivors and children of sur-vivors, as well as local and national dig-nitaries, including Austria’s Minister forInternal Affairs Johanna Mikl-Leitner.

“On this big day of the 70th anniver-sary, I would say there were at least 500people, maybe more,” Don said. “Therewere representatives from all thenations that had prisoners there. Peoplefrom France, Spain, Italy, Russia,Poland, Hungary .... It was really quiteamazing. They appeared in costumeand carried flags. It was just fabulous.”

“It really was,” Wanda agreed, “andthe thing was, they treated us likecelebrities because we were Americans,and I had been over there at the timewhen the Nazis were in power.”

Nordlie had prepared a speech abouther experiences as a nurse at Ebensee.However, when she saw the ceremonywas outside, “It was such a huge area. Isaid, ‘My voice is never going to carry.’Don’s nephew, Jon, took my speech andread it, and read it so well. That workedout so beautifully.”

Afterward, the crowd respondedenthusiastically.

“She was the only one who got a stand-ing ovation,” Macdonald said. “Everyonewanted to touch her, have their picturetaken with her, including the Austrianminister of internal affairs ... and thankWanda for saving their relatives orthemselves as survivors.”

“They were really sincerelyappreciative,” Don added.“Although Wanda was there,more or less, officially as therepresentative of the UnitedStates — because she was theonly one of the services thatshowed up — they were verygrateful to the Americanservice people.”

Then and nowThe Germans built the

Ebensee concentration campat the foot of the AustrianAlps and TraunsteinMountain, near TraunseeLake. The lush, green set-ting on the outskirts ofEbensee stood in start con-trast to the dark horrorsinside the prison camp.

At the Ebensee camp — one of about45 sub-camps for the Mauthausen con-centration camp near Linz — men weresubjected to harsh labor, poor living con-ditions and limited food supply. Themain purpose of the camp was to pro-vide slave labor for the construction ofenormous underground tunnels, whichwere to be used for research and devel-opment of the intercontinental rocket,according to Zeitgeschichte Museum inEbensee.

Before the Nazis built the camp’s cre-matorium in mid-1944, witha chimney that rose high intothe air, dead bodies werepiled in heaps. Every three tofour days the bodies werebrought to the Mauthausencrematorium to be burned,according to the website,www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org.

The U.S. Army’s 3rdCavalry ReconnaissanceSquadron rolled through thegates and liberated theEbensee concentration campMay 6, 1945. Nordlie and oth-ers attached to the 139thEvacuation Hospital arrivedand restored some semblanceof humanity amid the filth,starvation and stench, she said.

Ebensee was a small townwhen Nordlie was there in 1945. Whenshe returned in May, “What I wanted todo is get back to where we worked,where the prison camp was. But it’s allgone,” she said. “I couldn’t find a place


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SENIOR SPOTLIGHT

SUBMITTED PHOTO

The Ebensee concentrationcamp once stood at the footof Traunstein Mountain nearTraunsee Lake. Wanda andDon Nordlie of Litchfield visited the area in May.

PHOTO COURTESY OF LT. A.E. SAMUELSON/NATIONAL ARCHIVES AND RECORDS

After the U.S. Army liberatedthe Ebensee concentrationcamp May 6, 1945, many menremained because of poorhealth. Wanda Nordlie ofLitchfield was part of theArmy’s 139th EvacuationHospital that cared for themen until they were strongenough to leave.

that looked familiar to me at all.”“Now, it’s grown. It’s a good tourist

town now,” Don said.The barracks of the camp were

destroyed soon after the liberation,according to Zeitgeschichte Museum.Apartments were built in 1949, and thearea became a residential neighborhood.

However, a few remnants of the con-centration camp remain. The gray,stone columns that framed the camp’sentrance gates still arch over the road.One of the huge tunnels that prisonersbuilt has been transformed into a bilin-gual exhibit about the camp.

The victims’ cemetery also is in thisarea, at the place where one of themass graves — which was secretly cre-ated by the Nazis shortly before theliberation of the camp — was found,according to the museum.

Sternberg, 85, who lives in Ohio, wasa Hungarian teenager when he and hisfamily were sent to Auschwitz. He wasmoved to two other concentrationcamps before arriving at the one inEbensee. The Nordlies met him at oneof Macdonald’s book signings aboutfive years ago in Rockford, Ill.

“Andy came up to me and said,‘Vanda, you saved my life,’” Wandasaid, trying to imitate Sternberg’sHungarian accent. “He had been aprisoner, and I was one of the nursesworking in the prison camp. He sayshe remembers me. But, you know, Iwas a nurse taking care of these poorprisoners. There was one nurse to atent with 60 prisoners.”

Sternberg told the Nordlies that theday U.S. troops liberated the camp, “hewas scheduled to go up in the smokestack the next day,” Don said.

To show his appreciation, Sternbergarranged the Nordlies’ trip to Ebensee.

Don, 91, also a veteran, was a U.S.Marine who participated in four com-bat landings at Iwo Jima. He said heenjoyed visiting Ebensee and touringAustria. “I’ve heard about these places(from Wanda) for a long time. I wasmore than thrilled to be along.”

For Wanda Nordlie, it was a tripworth taking — to reunite with others,to remember the past, and to createnew memories in Ebensee.

“It was so wonderful to go back. It’sbeen a long time, but those people havenot forgotten. The Austrian people aresuch wonderful people. Even the youngones knew all about it,” she said. �

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Below are excerpts from two of themany speeches given May 9 at theInternational LiberationCommemoration in Ebensee, Austria:

Johanna Mikl-LeitnerAustria’s minister of the interior

“Dear Mrs. Nordlie, regardless (of)your own well-being, you held manyhuman lives in your hands, and youknew how to protect them.You havebeen dedicated a chapter in a bookof Richard Macdonald concerningthe concentration camp of Ebenseeand due to that chapter,AndrewSternberg remembered himself thatyou were an integral part of thattime. Mr. Sternberg, since many yearsyou have dedicated your life to let-ting people not forget what you hadto go through under the Naziregime. People like you were and arethe connecting part between pastand present, between yesterday andtoday, between oblivion and remem-brance, between the cultures.That’swhy this place connects us alltogether, especially in our fightagainst ignorance, intolerance andxenophobia.The 70th anniversary ofthe liberation means 70 years ofpeace.

Andrew SternbergConcentration camp survivor

“I am one man among many menand women who were imprisoned. ...In 1944, I was a 14-year-old boy inNagkayizsa, Hungary. They postednotices in my town, terrorized myfamily and confused me. I was round-ed up in a courtyard and ended upin a ghetto. My whole family wastransported to Auschwitz.Theynever left Auschwitz. I was trans-ported to Mauthausen. I was givenNumber 68840. Eighty-thousand diedin Mauthausen. I was transported toMelk on June 3, 1944. The daily deadgrew in numbers. Daily food wassparse. Starvation was all around us.

Between April 9 and 14, 1945,Melk was evacuated. I was transport-ed to Ebensee by train. Such beauti-ful mountains. So beautiful that Ithought that no one would ever findus or look for us. Liberation wasMay 6, 1945. I returned to Hungary,learned a craft, went to Budapest,and in 1956 went to America. Forme, the value of life is the right andopportunity to have freedom andlove — with family and with thewarmth of the sun in the morningand a peaceful sleep at night underthe light of the moon.”

International Liberation Commemoration

Concentrationcamp survivorAndy Sternberg,left, and formerU.S.Army nurseWanda Nordlie of Litchfield, listenas the Nordlies’nephew, JonLeasia, readsWanda’s speechMay 9 during theInternationalLiberationCommemorationin Ebensee,Austria.

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Crossword puzzle

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