Marisa Paulsen

A Blessed Life Marisa Paulsen

September 15, 1924 was a special day for Johann and Elizabeth Hauck when their baby was born at Gasthaus Zum Drei Linden (The Inn of the Three Linden) in Trundstadt, Germany. Paul's father, whom he called Pop, liked to laugh and entertain. When Paul learned to play the piano, Pop would play the violin. Times were hard and the Inn was not making enough money to support a family of five. The painful decision was made to leave family members and the country they loved to begin a new life. They immigrated to Newark, New Jersey and on February 25, 1943, Paul entered the United States Army. As World War II progressed in Europe, Paul's German accent and his language skills were valuable. Even though Paul was barely old enough for a driver's license, he became a driver for high ranking officers and other important people. Paul saw with his own eyes the consequences of a society gone mad. On April 13, 1945 Paul's unit entered the city of Nordhausen which they later learned was home to a concentration camp. The American soldiers were shocked at what they saw...6,000 victims barely alive and 5,000 dead. Thousands more were displaced persons, refugees and Allied prisoners. Those still living walked around with no expression, with no thank you, and with no joy. They were like shadows moving in the wind. A very disturbing sight. Young soldier Paul often complained about being dirty, shot at or bombed. He'd often asked, "What are we doing here?" It was upon entering Nordhausen concentration camp and seeing the inhumane treatment of these people that he understood why they were fighting.