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Lee Benson: Poignant holiday for WWII veteran

I am a retired soldier. I served 3 tours in Germany. I grew to love the Germany people and I understood why I was there. Freedom is dear to all and I understand why you served your country. Thank-you for holding to the gospel...

Two-million casualties such that despots and the irrationals could have their way - what an horrific waste, This, after we just had "the war to end all wars".

Then a very short time later came Korea, followed by Vietnam (we simply did not learn the lesson of Korea, which borders China as does Vietnam). And now after the extremely costly wars of Iraq, we now have Afghanistan which was Russia's very own "Vietnam". With half of the world's scientists and engineers engaged in some form of military application of their intellect, it doesn't look too promising.

Now, we have upwards of 10 sovereign nations having developed some sort of nuclear capablility, coupled that with greedy and/or religious zealots and perhaps we are facing the end of civilization - IF we don't learn from history and the words of Herb Schroeter.

Thank you Herb Schroeter for your very inspiring story of enduring. I'm sure your knowledge of teh gospel helped you greatly during those years. Too bad we continue to not learn from the lessons of the past. As long as there are greedy, wicked men and women on this earth, history will continue to repeat itself. Thank goodness for the Savior's gospel of peace.

Thank you Dad for all you went through to bring me to America. I am indeed grateful for the sacrifices you and Mom went through so I could have the wonderful life that I am living. Your great example
and inspiring stories have indeed, made me appreciate the freedom that we all have as American citizens

Herbert Schroeter's story is one of hundreds told by LDS survivors of World War II in Germany (and stories told by many who did not survive). In Harm's Way: East German Latter-day Saints in World War II is available from Millennial Press or the BYU Bookstore. It is amazing to read what happened to the German LDS in that war. Despite their frightening losses (hundreds died, thousands lost their homes), those Saints did not turn their backs on God or the Church. People like Herbert Schroeter could have cursed God and died, but they remained true Him and His gospel. These are heroes who would not call themselves heroes.