Evening star., 1940-07-23
IS Refugee Children
Happy on Arrival for
Greenbe|f Vacation
Have Chance to Forget
Memories Of Oppression
In Germany, Austrio

Fifteen happy youngsters were at
Greenbelt, Md, today for a two
week vacation after their arrival
from New York City yesterday in
another step to heal their memories
that were Scared by political op-
preston in Germany and Austria.
They have recollections of being
the target of stones and vile words,
Of being. beaten and seeing their
fathers lose everything. But their
laughing eyes indicate that the
United States to them is nothing
short of a children's fairyland.
Ranging in age from 9 to IL years,
they took their arrival in a strange
city in stride, something they have
learned to become accustomed to
since leaving their homelands.
Most of them came with their par
ents via other countries to await
entrance to the United States under
quota regulations. Some stopped in
Havana, England, Belgium and one
In Sicily.
Remembers Treatment.
Eleven-year-old George Gruen-
field has been in America since 1898,
after leaving Vienna. but he still
has vivid memories of the treatment
he received.
"They stole from us and even spit
on u.s." he said. I'm glad I'm over
here. I like it."
Little Rolf Stern, 10, a ark-haired
chap, remembers the stone throwing
and how he never went out of the
house without having his father
along. He is from Bavaria and
came to this country last year.
The others had similar memories.
Walter Kulka, IL, who has been in
Scotland since leaving Vienna nearly
two years ago, told how three men,
bers of the Hitler youth movement
Jumped on me at one time"
Il beat them of, though, and
they'll remember me-" he said
proudly.
Ruth Mohler recalled how her
father was excused from "scrubbing
the streets" because he had fought
for Austria in the World War.
"A policeman came around and
wanted to know where he was, and
my mother told him he wasn't home
and showed the officer two medals
my father had gotten in the war,
and the policeman didn't come
back" she said.
Think in American Terms.
But all this is past, and they are
rapidly forgetting. An illustration
Of how they are beginning to think
of this country as their home now
was the answer one gave to a ques-
ton as to where she was from.
New York City," she answered
promptly.
Some of them have been in this
country as long as three years, 9TH
ers' only a few weeks or months.
All, however, are making good prog
ress in learning English.
Friendly hands and smiles greeted
them at Union Station. A delega-
ton from the Greenbelt Citizens
Association composed of Mrs. A.
Chasanow, the Rev. Robert Kinche-
loe, Mrs. Thomas McNamara and
DR.. Samuel Berenberg was on hand
to take them to the Government
sponsored housing project.
Miss Mildred Stadholz of the Ma
tional Refugee Service Of New York
was in charge Of the youngsters.
They were selected by the Ameri-
can Committee for Christian Refu-
gees, the American Friends Service,
the Committee for Catholic Refugees
from Germany and the National
Refugee Service.
Recreation In Store.
At Greenbelt they will be fitted
into the child recreation program.
Swimming, picture shows, fresh air
and healthy play will be their fare
for two weeks.
The youngsters and those with
whom they will live at Greenbelt
are Gunther Schlessinger with Phil
Taylor, Hanna Lore Freydberg with
Harry Bates, John Lustig with Lo-
gan Wilson, George Gruenfeld with
DR.. James McCarl, Rolf Stern with
Joseph Lewis, Edith Epstein with
Jacob Brickman, Ingeborg Thai
hofer with Edwin Childs.
Ruth Herzberg with Paul Feath-
erly, Marianne Eisner with Melvin
Benjamin, Ruth Mohler with VIII
liam Blanchard, Norbert Stilman
with w. r. Nicodemus, william
Freydberg with George Warner,
Henry Freydberg with Abraham
Chasanow, Johanna Lehner with
Joseph Long and Walter Kulka with