photos: © Gary Carson and family
Imprisoned
by the Reichstadt in 1942 for a curfew violation in Warsaw.
And committed to Nazi slave labor until 1945 when being liberated.
These pictures are showing the difference between 1943 and 1945 at the end
of the war of how Gary Carson's mother looked not under Nazi imprisonment
and slave labor. The picture above left says it all and it's hard to believe
it is the same person.
Gary thinks it helps to show people what freedom can do for you.
Saturday March 11, 2006, Antonia passed away. Below what her son Gary wrote to the Easy Company Veterans and family.
"Mom
passed away Saturday around 4:15 AM peacefully. She didn't suffer long
or painfully and went quietly in her sleep.
Mom always remembered your father (Luz) and talked about him all her life
and how nice your mother was to her when we came to this country. Your mother
"Del" had babysat me when I was a baby and George Sr. and Dad remained
friends all of their lives since the war. Mom loved to tell the story of your
dad taking her on the cart when dad and her were married. She never forgot
that kindness and friendship. Mom as you know was the only survivor out of
18 family members with my brother Rich. Not very many people in this country
can even imagine that kind of trauma and then 3 1/2 years in NAZI Slave labor
and to have survived it. And then losing her mother just as the 101st came
in. The men of Easy showed her so much compassion and she never stoped talking
about them.
Speirs,Luz Christensen, Spina, Joe Lesniewski, Perconte, Weber and she had
met Wild Bill while still living back east on occations that when George,Dad,
Bill and Weber I know used to get together back east after the war. Mom never
forgot any of them and talked about them all her life. She was always happy
to see pictures after Reunions I would show her of us and Frank and all. I
always loved hearing the story about Speirs giving her a Lugar and telling
her that if anyone bothered her
It was just SOOOO Speirs. And he would say to her "If that Carson doesn't treat you right shoot him too"
I used to just crack up when she would tell us the stories. She was there and she was part of it.
She can now rest in Peace from all her pain she suffered every since September 1st, 1939. I am sure the lord will welcome mom into his flock because of her never ending faith.
And that she gave to us."
PAGES
Most
of the pictures on
this website were taken by Peter van de Wal. I assert the moral right to be
recognized as the photographer and the owner of these images in any form.
If you wish to use these photos for noncommercial purposes I consent to such
use as long as the source of the photos is clearly acknowledged in the same
publication as the photos you wish to reproduce.
"Band
of Brothers" & all related marks & media are TM & ©
2001 Dreamworks Television & HBO.
This
site is in no way affiliated with any entity involved in the production of
this film.
All opinions contained herein are those of the author alone.
Some pictures and material were obtained through approved channels or from
the public domain and are not intended to infringe on any copyrights.
©
Peter van de Wal
