Update on Mitchell Bard Interview/New Sources

After running late almost a half an hour in traffic, I had the pleasure of having lunch with Dr. Bard. It lasted about an hour and he was more than happy to answer any of my questions. I thoroughly enjoyed meeting with him and as most of the other authors have done, he gave me some avenues of getting more information on sources to use in my Thesis. I have an email address of an expert on Berga whom did most of Charles Guggenheim’s research for his movie on Berga, "Soldiers of a Another War." I have contacted him and now awaiting his response. Exciting...



Also last week I was told that National Geographic has decided to do a documentary on Berga. They have asked several of the living survivors to go to Germany where they are filming now on site of what remains of the labor camp. Several of these men I have met and can only imagine the emotions they are feeling. They are in my thoughts and prayers.


I was contacted by a representative of National Geographic and spoke to them about my research on Berga. They were very open to the idea of me assisting in any way possible on the information they need on Berga here at the National Archives. I am looking forward to the representative contacting me once they return from Germany.

Today, I also found the legislative paperwork on the House of Respresentative, Joe Baca's plea to the House for Berga survivors to be able to speak regarding their experiences held in capitivity. Also I have contacted another survivors wife whom I plan to travel to NJ and conduct an interview with in July.

Update: Mitchell Bard Interview/Scheduled Traveling

Due to me getting a winter cold and Dr. Bard traveling the interview was postponed. I am glad to report though that tomorrrow in Bethesda, MD we are meeting for lunch and discussing the book. I am very excited to finally get this opportunity. I will post some pictures as well as notes from the Interview.

I have decided to go back and visit Boston, MA. where the Vogels reside in their lovely home. I met them for the first time in September. I am looking extremely forward to visiting with them as well as taking a peak at the oldest public library in the country, the Boston Public Library.

I have also decided to go to NJ and spend some time visiting with Norman and Bunny Fellman. Norm has an extensive memory of Berga and I would like to pick his brain alittle.

Employment-National Archives

The first week at the new job was great... It is so blissful working in the place that I first researched Berga. Looking back I cannot believe the opportunities God has given me this past year. It is hard to believe that I was just at the Archives in March of 2010 never realizing that I would work there the following year.

This week, I had the opportunity to view files which have been in storage since WWII, not available to the public.   It was so exciting to get dusty and prepare these files for future researchers. It was so rewarding/exciting to get my hands on sources that haven't been unearthed until I opened the box. My passion for this tasks is what drives me to become an Archivist. I absolutely love my job. It is purposeful and brings me great happiness that I could be influential in sparking an interest in another researcher.


I am looking forward to the months ahead.

Invitation by Mitchell Bard

Today, I received an invite to Mitchell Bards home in Maryland. I have just finished reading his book, Forgotten Victims: The Abandonment of Americans in Hitler's Camps. This book is an awesome collection of American POW's stories, some Berga survivors, whom fought for our liberty during World War II. I am  looking forward to  interviewing him for my thesis and asking him some questions regarding his fabulous book. 

Personal Tour of the Archives in College Park

Today, I met with the head of our department at the Archives. After filling out my new employment paperwork, he gave me the guided hour and a half tour of the Archives in which only the employees see. It was very exciting to be on the other side of the coin as an employee not as a researcher. 

For those of you that have never been to the Archives,  when you arrive to research, the staff requests  in order to pull a file, a researcher card must be filled out with the appropriate number of where the file is located in the vaults.The employees use this to locate the file in the specific vault and bring it out to you as well as to place the file back in the vault. The entire process was explained to me in a guided tour through several vaults. It was incredible tour and it rekindled my desire to work in this wonderfully historic place.

The future days ahead I have a feeling will not feel like work but like an awesome adventure.

The beginnings of a Thesis

Tonight I received back my research proposal for my Master’s thesis, with much encouraging news. The purpose of this assignment is to make sure that you are picking a solid argument and or proposing question for a solid thesis.  Due to my overwhelming desire to write on Berga and the question of why the men were treated as Jews instead of Americans haunts me every day. Daily, I wake to the excitement of finding some new morsel of information in the numerous new sources I have located this year for instance in the newspaper articles from the 1940's thanks to the Dr. and Mrs.Vogel and there wonderful visit in Boston.

 I had already decided that without a doubt I would write my thesis on Berga and the tragedy that occurred in the labor camp. After the submission of my research proposal I was highly encouraged by not only my advisor but also two other WWII historians at the college. This thrills me to no end to know that my traveling and endless researching/reading is paying off. I have now completed page 41 of my thesis, named, "Berga Captives: Jews or Americans". I am not 100% sure of the title as it normally evolves during my writings but I do know the topic. I am well ahead of the deadline for thesis submission of June on my writings.

Thank you to all whom have encouraged me by pointing to sources or just encouraged me to write. I am so unbelievable excited to see what this coming year holds for me as a researcher, Archivist, a hopefully future writer. My ultimate goal is to educate people on the sacrifices these men made not only for their country, but also for their religious beliefs.

New Opportunities -NARA

Today, I can officially cross another item off by so called "bucket list." At 1:53pm I received a call I never thought I would get. It was an archivist from the National Archives calling to say they have considered me for a position and are offering me a paid fellowship through the National Archives in College Park Maryland, where I currently reside.

The call lasted about 25 minutes and I found myself thinking I cannot believe out of the applicants they chose me. Wow.


On December 7th, I will visit and meet my future colleagues to begin my work as an archivist.
I am so thankful for this opportunity and plan to use it to the fullest.

The Archivist explained I would be handing documents that are coming out of storage and processing them ready for use and they will be held in the vaults in College Park. I will be on a team of Archivists whom will be working on artifacts as well as Military records dated back from World War II. This is an opportunity of a lifetime for me and I am still in bliss they chose me.

I can't believe the irony of December 7th being the day which we remember the bombing of Pearl Harbor and the origination of World War II actually being the same day in which I start my journey as an archivist. This is a day I will never forget.