Holocaust Remembrance Day. Branding Heroism. Branding Triumph.
The Faces of Redemption.
The recent inauguration of the United States of America’s first African American President was made even more poignant because of the history of despair, survival and sustained grace of African Americans – many of whom might be considered the ladders that enabled this momentous, historical, national ‘redemption’. While ladders are essential, it’s often the individual rungs of the ladder that are forgotten; yet, without them a ladder can never rise. So, on this national Holocaust Remembrance Day, I would like to introduce you to a story of courage, greatness and love related to me by the daughter of a Holocaust survivor, Stanley Glogover, by his daughter and my friend, Bonnie Glogover. Like the rise of President Obama, Stanley’s is a story of challenge and joy, of triumph and pain. Regardless of our ancestry or creed, Bonnie not only honors a hero, she honors the heroic spirit so many of us need now as we face difficult times. The story reminds us that with grace and courage, we too will not only survive, we will triumph.
Dear Raymond,
Re: The 64th Anniversary of the Liberation of Auschwitz
My name is Bonnie Glogover. I am the daughter of a Holocaust Survivor. I am responsible for successfully placing a Holocaust Remembrance Day on this nation’s calendar as of May 2000. However, I have a much bigger story that needs to be told - it is of my father, living Holocaust Survivor Stanley Glogover.
In honor of the forthcoming 64th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz occurring on January 27th of this year, I want his incredible saga to reach the minds and hearts of all who must never forget. I am hoping that the amazing survival story of my father, an eloquent and vital 82-year old can be the subject of a broadcast interview.
In brief, after a year in exile in the ghettos of Makow-Mazowiecki and Mlawa, Northern Poland, Stanley and his family were shipped to Auschwitz in early 1942 where his mother and three younger siblings were immediately sent to the gas chamber. He and his father, Lazer Glogover, were assigned to brute labor and after a few weeks his father went missing and Stanley assumed he had also been executed.
By many miracles Stanley managed to survive until the Germans evacuated him along with other prisoners, then sent them on a death march in 1945. He and 3 other boys made a daring escape from the line and were rehabilitated by the Allies Displaced Persons program. Having lost 28 of his relatives, Stanley decided to journey to various DP camps to see if he could find any friend or neighbor left alive.
His search took him across Europe. At the last DP center he visited in Southern Italy, he miraculously discovered his father-alive! It took a while for them to recover from such an emotionally charged reunion. They grieved together for the mother and wife and the children who had perished but the miracle of finding each other gave father and son strength and hope for the future.
In 1947 Stanley and his father immigrated to the USA to begin whole new life, finally free from the nightmare of WWII.
For photos of my father “before and after” his camp detention as well as photos of him on a rare return to Auschwitz in March 2007 please visit: http://survivinghitler.com/photo.htm
During this trip Stanley gave testimony to a major British filmmaker currently producing a documentary on the last generation of Holocaust survivors. It was his first trip back since he regained his freedom, which was a brave and cathartic journey.
As you can well understand, my father represents a dwindling generation of survivors who are living testimonies to the Holocaust. He would very much like the world to know his story and to bear witness.
There’s a ferociously important and heartwarming story that begs to be heard. I’m hoping you’ll agree.
Sincerely,
Bonnie Glogover
Email: GlogoverHosiery@aol.com
Postscript: Bonnie, I not only agree - I celebrate the justifiable pride of a loving daughter. Your love is proof that love, indeed, triumphs - and is the only thing that endures or maintains value over time. Stanley, despite his unimaginable ordeals, is deeply loved and a truly lucky man. His is a story that should and will never be silenced. I listen to his story with great respect. I salute you both.
Raymond Nadeau
www.livingbrandslivingmedia.com
Raymond Nadeau is the author of the New York Times Business best-seller, Living Brands. He is also secretly pro-communist - or at least populist. He wants to change the world through branding - Prada for the People - Luis Vuitton for all.
This is incredible and beautiful. I read this and was brought to tears. You are an inspiration and how wonderful that the brightest beacon of light your father has known is his own amazing daughter. God bless you and your entire family.
This is not only the story of Stanley Glogover’s triumph over the horrors of the Holocaust but also a tribute to this remarkable man’s indomitable spirit. He stands as a role model for all of us. His daughter, Bonnie, has told his story with heartfelt love and sensitivity. Let all who are touched by it — and there will be many — vow to make every day Holocaust Remembrance Day. Let us rejoice with those who survived, weep for those we have lost, and never, ever forget.
I celebrate you Bonnie for your love and dedication to your father. Your work is admirable! Your father’s experience is something we should never forget! It was extraordinary how his will to live helped him survive the horrors of the holocaust. May G-d grant him a long and healthy life to go on telling the world what mankind is capable of doing.
With all my respect to you and your father. NG
Bonnie displays the same fortitude that her father did. How truly incredible and loving of her to keep this family story alive. While it is their personal story, it is a story that is far reaching and on a grand scale for it affected the entire world then and the ramifications we can see, are clearly as evident today.
Bonnie, this story touches my heart, it truly demonstrates strength. His story helps me to realize how so many of us take life for granted.
Mr. Glogover’s story should be shared, because we never want to forget … and we don’t want history repeat itself. You are inspiring with what you are doing for your father, and also for many others who might not want to share their experience.
Thank you,
Respectfully,
Michelle
We have all heard of the horrors of the Nazi camps and the slaughter of the innocents. For Bonnie’s father be able to escape a life of brutal opression and near certain death is but one of the many miracles in this account. Bless you Bonnie for sharing your story with those of us who are fortunate enough to be able to read it and pass it along.
NEVER FORGET - NEVER AGAIN
This is a remarkable accomplishment and I am honored to hear of this story and learn of this legacy. Thanks for posting this on here - I enjoy this site and reading this gave me great pause today. I am sharing this with everyone in my temple this weekend. This, like every survivor’s story must be shouted from every rooftop. Thanks again.
Dear Bonnie:
As always it my great pleasure to know you and listen to your stories of your Dad and horrors and triumphs he has experienced. As the mother of two children who had the opportunity to study the holocaust in school, it would another great tragedy if the stories of the survivors were not told and preserved for all generations to come.
We need to move forward on this so it will not be lost to future generations. Like the election of Obama, its time has come. We need to move forward NOW.
Please advise how we can all help so we can get the word out. To quote the optimism in the US - Yes we can.
God Bless you Bonnie and all your hard work and for the beautiful person that you are. We all know where you got it from.
Mary
Mary - and all those who support Bonnie’s effforts, please remember that social media belongs to you. We have all heard about six degress of separation. Please take advantage of this phenomenon and forward this to anyone and everyone you can. Remember, YOU are living media. Stanley’s story belongs to him, to Bonnie, to me - and to the world. So get going - pass it on. Scirbemedia allows you to forward your message along. Move it forward - NOW.
Raymond
An truly amazing and heartwarming story in the center of such a terrible time in our history. I would love to hear more details of his ordeal, escape and subsequent life in the U.S.
Bonnie You have brought such honor to your family in creating this history of your Father’s survival. I am so proud to personnaly have met you. You are such an inspiration to all of us and your lost family members are not lost nor can they ever be forgotten. Your Story is OUR Story. I will pass this on and on and on.
What an incredible, courageous example of the human spirit. I am so amazed that after having been family friends for so long that we have never spoken about this. Your family has such deep roots in history as heroic and strong survivers. Not only did they manage to stay alive, their love and committment helped them to find each other. Their will and determination made it possible for them to face their futures together.