By By Ida Brown / religion editor
May 5, 2004
Since learning about his father's journey from a concentration camp to the U.S. Army during World War II, Rabbi Peter H. Grumbacher has shared his story with thousands.
Although proud of his father's accomplishments, Grumbacher's retelling of the story goes much deeper.
Convincing other descendants of Holocaust survivors to document their family members' stories has become a personal crusade for Grumbacher, who is on an 11-day speaking tour of the South.
As Grumbacher spoke, the audience, which included young people as well as older adults, listened intently.
As he became older, Grumbacher said he realized he knew very little about his parents' survival during that period of history.
The speaker said he took it upon himself to "piece the puzzle together." It was at a family gathering that Grumbacher first learned of his father's World War II experiences.
Arrested on Kristalnacht, the Night of Shattered Glass, Nov. 9 and 10, 1938, Grumbacher's father was interred in the Dachau Concentration Camp.
Less than two months later, he walked out of Dachau and came to the United States. In 1943, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and returned to the Europe, where he served heroically, receiving numerous medals and national recognition.
Although Grumbacher wants to inspire other descendants of Holocaust survivors to acknowledge and document their family's history, he said he also hopes to touch the non-Jewish community.
During his travels, he has spoken to audiences that included people of all faiths.
Carolyn Harris of Highland Baptist Church said everyone can learn from Grumbacher's story.