On our last day in Metz we traveled to Natzweiler-Struthof. It was a concentration camp during WWII. Located in the mountains of France. The drive to get there was amazing. We went through a protected forest and winding roads to the top of the mountain. There in this most beautiful landscape the greatest human tragedy occurred. It was very moving and upsetting. We walked the camp in silence with all the other visitors – all trying to imagine how 50,000 people could have been forced to occupy such a small area. When we told the girls that was like all the people in Vestavia in bunkers on this small 3 acre area- then they realized how horrible it was. All of the barracks except one that houses a museum have been torn down. The SS officer’s quarters, the gas chambers, and the crematorium are still there—it was just awful. I think we all imagine what it is like, from the stories and pictures from the books we have read- but until you actually walk through one of the camps and see the scale of horror that took place can you really understand. It is a day none of us will ever forget- nor should any of us.
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