Peter Arany: A Short Story

One of the many secret units during the Second World War, the No. 3 Troop of Inter-Allied Commandos was comprised largely of Jewish refugees from Germany, Austria, and Hungary. If caught, the men would be treated as prisoners of war for fleeing the Nazi regime. In order to mask the men?s identities, the British government?s War Office insisted that all members of the unit change their surnames and fabricate their backstories. The soon-to-be Commandos were ushered into a room and pulled next-door one by one to pick a new name. Peter Arany was second in line. He took the task more seriously than his comrades, as his name was central to his identity. After a couple minutes of deep thought, he announced his new name to be ?Peter Arlen?. Same initials
Work sets you free. The words that sealed the fate of millions loomed above me. Their shadow blanketed the icy path that led into the heart of the camp. The hairs on my arms and legs stood on end as I stepped forward and the words above were now behind. I was inside. For years, I had learned about the Holocaust from books, teachers, and family. I had heard stories of what life was like during wartime. These stories seemed to me like fairytales, encased in the past, untouchable. I thought what had happened was over now and that all I could do was remember. Like the Quakers, I could hold them in the light. Remembering their loves, their lives, and their sacrifices seemed like
I finally understood the importance of the past, its affect on the present, and its lessons for the future. The doctor?s bravery, the photographer?s strength, and young David?s immeasurable love for his mother became examples that I strive to follow for the rest of my days. The bravery, love, and sacrifice of the millions of people during World War II deserve to be more than a distant story, their lives deserve to be remembered, honored, and cherished. They deserve to live on until the end of