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aced<8>clackamas. edu
Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2011
The Clackamas Print
Audience moved by story of Holocaust
Alter W iener shares his experience during W W II
By John William Howard
Sports Editor
Its n ot often that one man can change
the lives of everyone he speaks to in just a
few short minutes. That was the case last
Thursday when Alter Wiener, a Holocaust
survivor, author and speaker, came to
sharediis story with a packed and silent
McLoughlin Auditorium.
Wiener sat in the furthest corner o f the
stage, nearly hidden by the podium, as
the crowd filed in; There was an expectant
hush, not the usual drone of voices that
typically precedes the many speakers that
Clackamas. Community College brings in.
Something was different about this one
and everybody knew it.
As Wiener stood, a picture flashed on
the screen behind him. Gaunt, black-eyed
and nearly lifeless, the image bòro no
resemblance to the man standing next to
it. The image was taken of Wiener the day
he was liberated from a Nazi labor camp
by the Russians in May o f 1945 after
nearly three years of incarceration.
From that first moment and for the
next 9Q' minutes, Wiener held the audi
ence in the palm of his hand. He wove his
horrifying story froth one end to the other,
stopping every so' often to point out the
terrifying effects of prejudice on a people
and how he found it “completely abslird.”
Using a string oft experiences, Wiener
not only told his tale but also illustrated
some incredible moments o f hatred, com-,
passion and sickeningly close brushes with
death,
Wiener told of how, when starv
ing while working, in a textile factory,
a German woman took pity on him.
Against the rules, the woman made eye
contact with him and motioned to where
she had hidden a sandwich of white bread
and cheese. The woman continued to feed
Wiener for another 30 days, despite the
incredible risk to herself.
Also told was the story o f the day the
Russians freed the prisoners: Thé Russian
tanks rolled up to where the prisoners
were waiting to be taken to. tjie work site
and an officer shouted to them that they
had been liberated to do as they pleased.
“W hen they saw our bodies', they broke
down,” said Wiener. “They cried with us.”
By the time Wiener was finished with
his présentation, the audience was also
in tears. Moved by the incredible tale
o f unthinkable brutality, tearful admirers
crowded around the stage as others filed
quietly put o f the auditorium.
“It’s emotional because how do you.
live through’ that? I just can’t believe that
people have had to survive such awful
things,” . said Loretta Mills, one of the
many onlookers; “He’s on a mission,.. he
was touching peoples lives and I think he’s '
doing a great job.”
At Wiener’s ripe age of 85 and w ith
a stoty like his to share, he has plenty oft
wisdom to give out everywhere he goes.
He speaks in fronpof all ranges of audi
ences from elementary school children to
college students to book clubs and always
seems to stress that people should appre
ciate what they have because “you never
know w hatis going to be tomorrow.”
Another o f Wiener’s points was how
important it was to hear about the past sP
that it could be avoided in the future, and
that we should never despise those around
ùs just because they’re different.
“[To keep it from happening again]
number one' is to not gravitate towards
hatred,” said Harry Wise, another mem
ber of the audience who met Wiener
personally. “Whatever you go about, go A lter W iener shared stories fro m his past w ith Clackamas C om m unity College
about by love.” ;
students a n d faculty last Thursday in M cLoughlin A uditorium .
NASA: Former GCC student speaks
about career after school
STANDUP FOR MENTAL HEALTH
COMEDY SHOW
Where:
Clackamas Community College
McLoughlin Theater
19600 Molalla Ave. Oregon City
When:
Monday^ Nov. 7th @ 2 :30 pm
Tuesday, Nov. 8th @ 7 :00 pm
Cost:
Free to the Public
General seating is limited.
Light refreshments served.
Produced by:
David Granirer, Founder .
Stand Up far M ental Health
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an hour with a PowerPoint o f the presentation and
presentation full o f visuals' enjoyed what she learned.
After the production,
“I’d recommend takirig that caught everyone’s eye
a lot o f different classes at such as the visits oft Bill many of the students said
least to get. a flavor for it.. Nye and the staff o f “Robot that they would definitely
I hated chemistry in h ig h Chicken” to Burton’s lab in go to another event similar
to Burton’s NASA presen
school. It’s only by giving Maryland. ’
“I like that he was tation. C C C had a great
things a chance and coming
across it later in life that you relaxed. Normally presenta opportunity to learn and
find our you really dike it,” tions about intense sound hear from one of the nation’s
ing stuff have the guys in' best scientists. Students and
said Burton.
Throughout his educa suits and are all stuffy. He .staff would be smart to take
tion for his Career, Burton was really relaxed and made the chance io learn if the
has had many people he it fun,” said Emma Wilson, opportunity comes around
counts as idols. Burton talk who stayed the entire hour again.
ed about some o f his biggest
influences throughput his
journey.
“The biggest influence^]
on my way to NASA were
Nick Hamel and also my
adviser at PSU that I did
my graduate research with.
O ur research there was also
founded by NASA on the
origins on life,” said Burton,
“just having these science
mentors that you really
build close relationships
with really keep you going.”
The presentation caught
the interest o f many, as there
The Z -4 8 B is Used by N A S A a n d the A ir Force to study
were: more than 20 students
the structural aerodynamic a n d operational advantages o f
and staff members in the
the Blended W ing Body.
audience. Burton spoke for
C Continued from Page 1