Marcel Fachler – Hidden Child of Holocaust Spoke at Lehigh Acres Middle

Marcel Fachler spoke at Lehigh Acres Middle – (The above video is the same content but at a different venue.)

Marcel Fachler said, “I remember thinking that I must be very special, because whenever uniformed German soldiers in their black boots, with big barking and growling ATTACK dogs came to the gate of the children’s home looking for Jewish children, I was immediately rushed away to the attic, just in case the soldiers came in and searched the home.”

Fachler went to say, “I remember being put in a drum with a false top containing dark oil.  The smell was horrible and to this day I can still smell it.  The words ‘Motor Olie’ was stamped on the drum. The two letters 0’s had been drilled out to enable me to breath. Black pepper was sprinkled around the drum in case the dogs came near.”

At the children’s home, we were only allowed to play in the garden at the back of the castle. It was like a prison with very strict rules. I remember, very clearly the punishments I received when I peed in my bed, which was often. I was draped with my wet sheets, had to face a corner and not move for one hour, while the other children teased me.

In September 1944, when I was 5 years old, Mademoiselle Sorel informed my parents that my staying in the home would endanger the other children because of my dark Semitic skin color and my unruliness. I was kicked out.

My father negotiated for me to stay with a family who owned a farm not far from Antwerp

A man, who I was told was my father, picked me up from the children’s home and took me the farm. Think about that. A total stranger took me away from everything and everyone I knew.

Finally the war ended in 1945. Before I left the farm, the farmer taught me a parting lesson which I have never forgotten. Jump from table. Never trust anyone. I was 5 years old.

But some of the best words came near the end: Fachler said, “Young people, you have the power to make a difference. I urge you NEVER to give up to make our world a better place. Encourage both tolerance and understanding among people and nations. NEVER AGAIN, NEVER GIVE UP and NEVER FORGET”

Marcel Fachler believes he is not survivor because he was not in a Nazi concentration camp. But I will tell you that this man is one of the most honorable man and it’s was an honor to meet him and listen to his story with the social studies classes at Lehigh Acres Middle school.

He wasn’t in concentration camp but he still went through hell and back during these dark dollars of WWII.

We are slowing losing people such as Marcel Fachler, just because old age has a way to catching up with all of us. Our children’s children will never meet Marcel Fachler in person and listen to how he tells his story.

Please take a moment and listen to the Youtube video above and listen to his story.