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.

The Article regarding the diary dedication

For all of you whom have asked about when the article is going to be posted... Here it is... Read it and watch the video.... It will help you understand my passion for these men whom were held at Berga.

http://www.cnn.com/2010/LIVING/10/28/acevedo.holocaust.soldier/index.html?iref=allsearch

Washington, DC

Thursday night we packed Bill's truck to the brim about 5 ft above the roof with clothes, furniture, etc, and after 14.5 hours I made it, to the new house. I was pleasantly greeted by Zinniah (a large lab) and Moca (a extra large lab) as well as Charlotte and Ashley, the new roomies. I was welcomed by a message on the chalkboard, welcoming me and my family for our stay. The entire weekend we toured the museums and other wonderful culture of the city. Bill spent the majority of a day in the Aerospace museum, we all spent a few hours in the USHMM Holocaust, and some time in Natural History Museum. All were wonderful but spending time with the people I love was even better. Tonight, Bill and mom worked on getting my room in order, unpacked, drapes hung, etc. Finally I have my stuff put away. Only 3.5 weeks and I will be home for Thanksgiving. I can hardly wait to see my wonderful family and crazy friends. Love to all!

The Acevedo Dedication

On Tuesday the 12th I headed to DC for my last short trip until the big move on the 22nd of this month to College Park. When arriving in DC, I took the subway from Reagan International to my new address on Matey Rd in Maryland. The idea was to stay there while on my trip and to get to know the new roomies. Well that went wonderful the first few hours as we went to dinner together.

When returning from dinner to my new place I showered, and got ready for bed. At 4:30am, in the morning I awoke to the sound of rats scurrying through the walls and on the floor in the other room. I was completely freaked out, as I flipped the light on. So at 4:40am I packed up my stuff and headed to Priceline.com and found a hotel in downtown DC. I then left the house telling them this place would not work for me and left on foot to the subway. With suitcase in hand, I headed to downtown to a Starbucks where I stayed until 8:00am, when I met the Acevedo family at the USHMM. It was an honor to meet them in person.

The Acevedo family and I headed into the museum where I held the diary in my hands as one of the last people to ever hold it, before it is processed into the vault at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. It was an overwhelming honor. Below is a picture of the diary and me with tony Acevedo. The family, his son Fernando Acevedo and his wife Mitsy were wonderful by including me into the family tour. For two hours the family and I talked and I examined to diary. From 9-3 Tony was meeting for his oral history interview so the family and decided to leave and meet back at 3:30pm for the dedication and then for dinner. At 12 noon I met CNN for the much awaited interview. The interview was a great honor due to this journalist's article being the reason I decided to start studying Berga. The meeting was awesome and I cannot wait until it is posted online. The subject was my research and the dedication of the diary.
At 4pm the diary was officially donated at a wonderful ceremony at the USHMM. Afterward Wayne Drash, the Acevedo's and I went for a yummy dinner. Afterward I retired to my hotel for the evening. I was so happy to rest after such a long day.

Tomorrow will be my 29th birthday. I am extremely excited as I spend it in the city I love. I also have an appointment to meet two girls who are interested as me as their roommate in College Park. I am so excited. Here is a pic of the house. I just keep thinking that everything happens for a reason. The potential new room is a 5 minute walk to the archives and is in a perfect location.

USHMM-United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

This morning I spoke with Kyra Schuster, the curator who is hosting the Acevedo's for the dedication of Tony Acevedo's diary. The plans have been made for the dedication on October 13th. So far the Vogel's and Wayne Drash of CNN will be joining us. I cannot believe I am being included in this momentous event as an eager Graduate student. On October 12th I get to hold this 60 year old diary in my hands. So excited I can't hardly stand it!