Strength of Character

Gerda's beloved older brother, Arthur, is to be transported to a male labor camp in the interior part of Poland. Before the sad departure from his family, he tells Gerda to "Stay strong." When Gerda's father, Julius, suspects his daughter is falling into a depression and considering suicide, he has her vow right then and there that she will never succumb to such a scenario. Gerda and her mother, Helene, wind up in a female labor camp. After a short while, they receive word that they are to be separated. Helene is to be transported off to a death camp while Gerda will be moved to another labor camp. As Helene is thrown in a truck, she yells to her daughter. The last words Gerda hears her mother speak are "Stay strong. Stay strong." Her parents could never believe that humans could treat other humans in...