### Holocaust Survivor and WWII Soldier Reunite 80 Years After Liberation
Nearly 80 years after the liberation of Buchenwald concentration camp, Holocaust survivor Andrew Roth, 96, met Jack Moran, 98, a U.S. Army veteran who helped free him. The emotional reunion, facilitated by the **USC Shoah Foundation**, highlighted the dwindling number of firsthand witnesses to the Holocaust. Roth, who survived Auschwitz and Buchenwald, recalled narrowly escaping death by following his uncle instead of his mother—a split-second decision that saved his life. Moran, who fought in the Battle of the Bulge, described the horrors he witnessed upon entering Buchenwald, where emaciated prisoners and piles of suitcases symbolized Nazi atrocities.
### Preserving Holocaust Testimonies Before They Fade
With only **220,000 Holocaust survivors** remaining worldwide, organizations like the USC Shoah Foundation are urgently documenting testimonies. Rob Williams, the foundation’s CEO, emphasized the importance of these accounts in filling historical gaps, particularly in Eastern Europe. However, Holocaust awareness is declining, even in countries directly involved. Far-right movements in Germany and Hungary have downplayed Nazi crimes, while antisemitic attacks and conspiracy theories persist globally. Williams warns that as democracy and human rights face challenges, Holocaust memory is at risk of fading—making survivor testimonies more crucial than ever.
### A Legacy of Survival and Shared History
After the war, Roth and Moran rebuilt their lives in California. Their meeting allowed Roth to reclaim a piece of his past—a U.S. military questionnaire from 1945 listing his arrest reason simply as **”Being a Jew.”** Both men, now nearing 100, carry the weight of history. Moran reflected on the soldiers he lost, while Roth credited luck and resourcefulness for his survival. Their stories underscore the Holocaust’s enduring lessons—and the urgent need to preserve them for future generations.
*Key Takeaways:*
– **Lasting Impact of War:** Both men endured unimaginable trauma as teenagers.
– **Historical Preservation:** Survivor testimonies are vital as firsthand witnesses disappear.
– **Modern Relevance:** Rising extremism and Holocaust denial highlight the dangers of forgetting history.
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