Voice/Vision Holocaust Survivor Oral History Archive

John Mandel - May 26, 1981

Talking to Children

Have you told your children?

Yes. Um, I uh, I've tried to tell them. Uh, I don't think I've ever really gone into too much detail with them. These--they don't seem to have much patience for it, at least at this particular point. I feel as they'll get, get older, they'll be more receptive to it. We have a monument erected at the uh, ??? for... Um, I have my family's uh, members' names inscribed and uh, we go out there annually. And I always have tried to take my children with me when I go there. Uh, just to keep them in touch with it.

What are your plans and hopes for your future? Oh wait. Hm.

I, I suppose the same thing as anybody would hope. Uh, uh, we're blessed with a wonderful family. We have some very fine children. I have a wonderful wife. I hope that I will... [

Wife: Skip that part on the tape. [laughs]]

[laughs] Nah, we've got it!

Well, some uh, I guess uh, time's not too far off and it's, going to have start thinking about retirement. And hopefully we'll be able to retire comfortably and hope to have our health and, and... Basically uh, I don't want anything different than most uh, any other person would want for his family, for himself.

What does it mean to you to be a survivor?

I don't think that's any special honor. It's just something that happened. Um, I wish it didn't. It doesn't mean anything special to me.

Are you angry today?

 [pause] I--not consciously.


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