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World War II vets return to BuchenwaldBy Bruce AndersonArmy News Service
Veterans and family members of the 120th Evacuation Hospital honored the camp's victims and its liberation with ceremonies April 11. The 120th had deployed from Frankfurt am Main to provide medical assistance to the camp survivors in April, 1945. "As we were approaching Buchenwald, we knew how horrible it was because there was this fetid odor," said Aldean Mason, her voice trailing off, her hands twisting and untwisting the place mat on the table in front of her. Aldean served as a nurse in the 120th Evacuation Hospital during World War II. "One of our drivers, Milt, his father had a funeral home in Rhode Island. He just knew. Nobody had to tell him what was going on," Aldean said. "One of his co-drivers asked, 'What is that smell?' (Milt) said, 'Man, that's death,'" added Walter Mason, who also served in the 120th, and has been married to Aldean since 1949. Looking off into the distance, Walter described what he saw the day after the 120th arrived at the concentration camp. "The thing that stuck in my mind ever since we went in there was carved in the stone above the entrance: 'right or wrong, my fatherland,'" he said. "Just below that, in the commandant's office, when I went through there they were assembling a group of lampshades made from human skin, and tattoos from human skin that were mounted on what I would call plaques." The group members included unit veterans, and wives, sisters, sons and grandsons of veterans of the 120th's actions in Buchenwald. They came for a variety of reasons. For some, the journey started in 1993 when the 120th veterans began holding reunions. "Buchenwald was always the main topic. As we met and discovered new members, we learned more about Buchenwald. It was a desire to go back and see how it was, and not remember all the bad times," Aldean said. Drs. Daniel and Jonathan Wolpaw said they came because of their deceased father, Dr. Ralph Wolpaw, who was a physician in the 120th when the unit arrived at Buchenwald. "It's a way to honor and remember him as well as some of the important events that he participated in," said Daniel, his voice steady but quiet. "For us it's a matter of this window into our family and into our father that we really hadn't had." Jonathan, more animated than his brother, said that prior to his father's death, they discussed the events of the war and Germany's post-war efforts in dealing with the Holocaust. "I know he would have been happy about what's going on today and what we hope continues in the future," he said In addition to finding out what had changed at the camp, or what their relatives experienced there, the Masons, Wolpaws and the rest of the group said they also came to honor the camp's victims and liberators with wreath-laying and liberation ceremonies. During the liberation ceremony, Jerry Hontas, a surgical technician with the 120th at Buchenwald, paraphrased Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address. He said that those who weren't victimized at Buchenwald cannot make it holy; rather it was the victims who suffered so bitterly and brutally there who have consecrated the ground through their sacrifices. "It is fitting and proper that we dwell on those unfortunate victims of that terrible time, but we should also dwell on the good that people here in Germany are doing to bring about the strong ties of friendship between us and all people of the planet," Hontas continued. Brig. Gen. Richard L. Ursone also spoke at the liberation ceremony. Ursone, based in Heidelberg, Germany, leads the European Regional Medical Command. He briefly recounted the 120th's deeds at the concentration camp and acknowledged the veterans and family members who were at the ceremony. "You brought the first medical supplies to the survivors following the liberation and saved many lives," Ursone said. "Your loving touch, warm smile, strong embrace and caring attitude consoled the victims of this most horrible camp. You gave of yourselves then, and have continued to give, to contribute, to make a difference in our world. "Thank you for the difference you made in the lives of those of us who carry the flag of military medical service today. I want you to know that your dedication and accomplishments continue to inspire and motivate those of us who follow you as members of the Army Medical Department." Afterward the ceremony, the veterans and family members quietly boarded their bus and left this, in Daniel's words, "chilling and desolate place." Add your commentYou must be logged in to leave comments.  Contracting: A Sure Bet For Veterans July 10, 2009 If you are interested in working in contracting once you return to civilian life, the Federal Contractor Program can help you get a jump on your career. 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