Visit the Traces Bus-eum (parked outside the library) or attend the "High School Teacher Goes to War" presentation at the library. Share your thoughts on the Bus-eum or the presentation. Important? Enjoyable? Interesting? Exciting?
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7 comments:
It is illuminating to see the Nazi treatment of POWs, especially in context of their infamous acts against minorities. Although it was not easy at all for the captured soldiers, the Nazi regime showed some respect for Geneva conventions.
Still, food was scarce, and human dignity was at a premium in those conditions. It is unfortunate that the U. S. military did not consider the consequences of capture more deeply from the start—even minimal preparation could have helped those faced with years of imprisonment.
It's hard to believe how much military actions has changed from the World War II era; if casualty or capture was as likely in the contemporary war, the civilian reaction is hard to imagine.
~~Adam Achen
I thought the Bus-eum was fascinating. The artifacts inside really hit home to me, because my hometown pastor was a WWII POW. To me, the items used, worn, or made by the POWs were particularly interesting. Seeing with my own eyes artifacts such as a uniform worn by a prisoner of war or a cigarette case made by SPAM coils by a captured US soldier really brought the history to life for me.
Kelli Gill MWF 10am
When I walked on to the bus I felt like I went through a time warp. I get mixed emotions because part of me feels empathy for what the POW had to endure and the other part can not imagine what they and even the families left behind went through.
When we entered through the bus doors a gentlemen gave us a quick over view of what the bus represented. The bus is from St. Paul's MN and held artifacts that they had in POW camps from soldiers of the midwest. A couple of things I found interesting were 1) 3000 soldiers were captured on Feb. 14th, 1943 in Germany and of the 3000, 1800 were from the midwest. 2)This was a standard staple of food for the soldiers in the camps - "Black Bread" - 50%bruised rye, 20% tree flour(saw dust), 20% sliced sugar beets, 10% minced leaves and straw. Mix all together, form into 3x3x8 inch loaf and bake until black.
Ellen Schlosser
History 122
MWF 11-11:50
Being able to see all the artifacts and such in person is amazing. It is just like walking through the Hollicost Museum. It really puts things into perspective on what went on and how things came about during that time. I thought it was very interesting to be able to see some of these things in person!
Melissa Arnold
9am
This bus-eum is an amazing experience. I've always been fascinated, and sometimes repulsed, by what went on during this period in history. When I walked on that bus I was taken to another place. The images were powerful, and the information exceptional.
The one thing that ceases to amaze me is the kindness that we see even during this horrible time. One part of the exhibit would talk about how POWs would recieve extra care and rations from kind hearted strangers or soldiers. It is compelling to find that in a time of such despair, kindness and hope still prevail. I couldn't even imagine the pain and humiliation the POWs had to endure, as well as the courage and strength it would take to see another day...
--Tiffany Straley
The Trace Bus-em was a lot of fun. It's cool how its a museum on whells and it's always fun to learn a little more about or history.
Alan Petersen
It's interesting that Kelli's pastor was a WWII POW. Take advantage of the fact that you can still talk with people who had first hand experience of the greatest war in history. I once worked for a professor who had been on the German side at the battle of Verdun, one of the important battles of the first World War. Like an idiot, I *never* talked with him about his experiences--and I regret it now.
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