Eliezer Wiesel

"For the survivor who chooses to testify, it is clear: his duty is to bear witness for the dead and for the living. He has no right to deprive future generations of a past that belongs to our collective memory. To forget would be not only dangerous but offensive; to forget the dead would be akin to killing them a second time."
-An excerpt from Night by Elie Weisel, published in 1958


Born in a small Jewish community in Sighnet, Transylvania in 1928 (now a part of Romania/Hungary) Elie Wiesel grew up like many young children around him, he attended religious classes, was active in his small town, and had a personal relationship with God. During the early years of World War II, Sighnet was left peaceful and Elie's family held the belief that their small town would be untouched by the German Nazis.

Although, that hope was crushed in 1944, when Elie was sixteen. The Nazis deported the Jewish families to Poland, where the Wiesel Family was separated. Elie and his father were pulled away from Eli's mother and three sisters; his mother and youngest sister later died in the gas chambers. During his stay in the camps, Elie witnessed horrors which made him question how God could ever be so cruel to those so innocent. He lost his faith in humanity. In January 1945 Wiesel witnessed his father's last day, heard his father's last word. He recollects this memory quite clearly:

"On my father's cot there lay another sick person. They must have taken him away before daybreak and taken him to the crematorium. Perhaps he was still breathing... No prayers had been said over his tomb. No candles lit in his memory. His last word has been my name. He had called out to me and I had not answered."
Elie felt guilt over his father's death, but also a quiet sense of relief. He no longer had to worry about his father's wellbeing. He knew his father was no longer in pain. In the four months between his father's death and his freedom from the camps, Wiesel does not describe his life. He was no longer living, he was merely surviving. But in April of 1945 fate crept in and Elie was released back into the free world.

"I have tried to keep memory alive. I have tried to fight those who would forget. Because if we forget, we are guilty, we are all accomplices."

After the liberation of the camps, Wiesel lived in France where, for ten years, he refused to speak of his life during the war. In 1955, at the counsel of a Catholic writer, Wiesel composed a 900 page memoir, And the World Kept Silent, which was first published in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The book was then condensed into a 127-page memoir entitled "Night", which was published in 1958, with little success.

Elie Wiesel moved to New York and was granted American citizenship. He continued to write, finishing other autobiographical works such as Dawn and The Accident. Soon his writing was getting him international acclaim. He chose to visit the Soviet Union after an increased interest in the difficulties that other Jewish families faced during the war. After returning Wiesel dedicated himself to helping to liberate those all over the world who have suffered in similar situations.

In 1976 Elie became the Andrew Mellon Professor of Humanities at Boston University and in 1978 President Carter appointed him to Chairman of the United States Holocaust Memorial Council. Though one of his biggest achievement since surviving the death was in 1986 when he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his work.

Wiesel has authored over 36 works on the Holocaust, Judaism, and genocide, including "Night", a memoir of his time in Auschwitz, among other concentration camps.

To read a transcript of Elie Wiesel's Nobel Prize acceptance speech, please go here.

Sources:
Academy of Achievement
Elie Wiesel Biography Page
Jewish-American Hall of Fame
"Night" by Elie Wiesel

Anna Eleanor Roosevelt (1884-1962)

"Eleanor shattered the ceremonial mold in which the role of the First Lady had traditionally been fashioned, and reshaped it around her own skills and her deep commitment to social reform. She gave a voice to people who did not have access to power. She was the first woman to speak in front of a national convention, to write a syndicated column, to earn money as a lecturer, to be a radio commentator and to hold regular press conferences."
-Time Magazine in their 1998 Time 100

Anna Eleanor Roosevelt (better known as Eleanor Roosevelt) is quite possibly America's most influential first ladies. Although awkward and shy as a young girl, Roosevelt grew into a knowledgeable, powerful woman who would make her mark in American History. Born to Anna Hall and Elliot Roosevelt in 1884, Eleanor was the second of seven children, and the niece of Theodore Roosevelt. Her parents died when she was young (her mother when she was 8 and her father when she was 10) and the young Roosevelt began living with her grandmother in New York where she was educated by private tutors. At age 15, Eleanor was sent t England to attend a girl's school where she met Mademoiselle Marie Souvestre, the headmistress, who had a powerful influence on Roosevelt's thinking. Three years later, she returned to New York where she met Franklin Delano Roosevelt, a distant cousin.

In 1905 she married Franklin and over the next 11 years gave birth to 6 children. During this time she was cut off from her service work in a New York City settlement house, where she had discovered confidence and security. In 1918 Eleanor had a haunting suspicion that Franklin was having an affair. Divorce was threatened, but the issue was resolved. After this incident, Eleanor renewed her relationship with various reformist organizations; focusing her energy on them instead of her marriage. During this time she learned that she had a knack for public speaking and organizing. She formed lifelong friends with other women which heightened Eleanor's sense of security.

In 1921 Franklin Roosevelt, who was the democratic nominee for vice president, became paralyzed with polio. Eleanor took the reigns during this time, traveling the country to discover more about the people that her husband was helping to govern. It soon became clear that the two were a powerful team with the ability to inspire the American public to accept social change. During Franklin D. Roosevelt's presidency she traveled through the United States independent of her husband, visiting relief projects, observing living conditions, and bringing about social reform. She often reported back to her husband and helped to advise him in his decisions as president.

When her husband died in 1945 Eleanor expected the media to lose interest in her work as well as her life. But her popularity grew. President Truman appointed her to the United States Delegation to the United Nations. She held the position until 1953, when she resigned. After resigning her position, Roosevelt volunteered with many organizations, was reappointed to the United States Delegation to the United Nations and earned herself a variety of awards. She was also in high demand as a public speaker in the media and in person. She became a well-known writer through her multi-volume autobiography, various columns (including her syndicated column "My Day", which she wrote from 1935 until shortly before her death in 1962), and her monthly question and answer pieces for Ladies Home Journal and McCalls.

In November 1962, Eleanor Roosevelt passed away in her New York home. She remains buried next to her beloved husband at their estate, which is now a national historic site. Eleanor will always be remembered as the "First Lady of the World".

For more information on the FDR National Historic Site, please go here.

Sources:
FDR Library
Time 100

Update Post

I understand that not everyone may agree with my choices for the week. Everyone has the right to his or her opinion, but I ask that you please respect mine. If you disagree, you are more than welcome to voice your concern as to why my choice was lacking, but there is no reason to start a feud.

I'll admit sometimes I may not have done proper research, but if so, please explain and I will act accordingly. I may have only researched one side of the story accidentally, and if so please inform me along with explanations as to why.

Thank you.

Timothy Treadwell (1957-2003)

"In a filmed scene of Timothy singing to a mother bear, flat on her back, with two cubs nursing on top of her, you imagined for a moment that she too enjoyed the song of gentleness. And you had no doubt that you were hearing a 'bear whisperer.'"
-Louisa Wilcox, close friend of Timothy Treadwell

Timothy Treadwell is best-known as a man who lived among bears. "Grizzly Man" as the documentary of his life claims. Many assumed him mentally insane, others saw him simply as strange. A controversial character, Timothy is rarely remembered for what he lived for, for what he died for; the safety and education of brown bears in Alaska.

For thirteen summers, Tim traveled to Katmai National Park in Alaska where he lived among the grizzlies. He called this place the "Grizzly Maze". He studied the bears intensely, often getting dangerously close to them. He gave each bear he met a unique name and often personified them. During these summer months, he would film himself with the bears, and has captured some of the best footage of grizzlies ever filmed. Timothy Treadwell never carried a firearm on him, never wanting to harm a bear even in the worst situation.

It is a common misconception that Timothy did not understand the danger he put himself in while living among the bears. He was not friends with all bears. He became wary of a bear he called "Demon", and was quoted saying "someone could die out here". He was very aware of his situation and despite not having a formal degree, Timothy had a vast knowledge of grizzlies. He understood that bears rarely attack, but they do, in fact attack, and when they do it is most often fatal. But his bond with the bears, he felt, was worth the risk.

A troubled young man, Timothy found peace and sobriety through nature and bears. He replaced his love of alcohol and drugs with a love of grizzlies and conserving their land. Timothy protected his bears and became territorial of them. In one scene in the movie "Grizzly Man", a documentary of Treadwell's life, Tim filmed visitors of the park throwing rocks at the bears. This angers Timothy bringing him close to tears. Although this may seem odd to many, his passion for protecting his beloved bears is admirable. He was able to recover from his drug problems simply by knowing that he could not be with the bears in an intoxicated state.

Timothy was so passionate about his work with the bears that he left his old life behind and dedicated himself to educating others. He often gave lectures to children in local schools, free of charge. His close friends describe him as one of the most poverty-ridden men they knew. He gave up his life, in more than one sense, for these grizzly bears.

"I will die for these animals. I will die for these animals. I will die for these animals."

Unfortunately, on October 5-6, 2003 Timothy and his girlfriend Amie were mauled to death on their last night in the Grizzly Maze. The only footage of the attack is an audio tape from Tim's camera; the lens cap left on. Due to the video being only audio, there are only speculations as to exactly what had happened that unfortunate night. Many guess that the vicious attack was brought on by a ravaged bear, desperate for food. Jewel Palovak, Timothy's best friend and a former girlfriend, owns most of Timothy's possessions, including the audio tape of his death. She has not made the tape public nor has she listened to it herself. No plans have been made to ever release the tape.

Although his body has left, his legacy and spirit live on in his foundation, Grizzly People, which is dedicated to protecting the bears and the land they claim.

Sources:
Katmai National Park
Grizzly People Tribute to Timothy Treadwell
Grizzly Man, 2005

George H. Mitchell (1946 - 2002)

"He'd have 25 kids going in 25 different directions. But he knew each direction the children were heading in and exactly where he wanted each of them to end up."
-James Lucia, assistant principle of the Meridith G. Williams Middle School

For the most part I will keep my posts unbiased and fairly professional. Although I will occasionally make personal posts on people who I have met and who have inspired me personally. This is a very personal entry dedicated to a man who taught me more about myself than any other teacher could: Mr. George H. Mitchell.

For anyone who knew Mr. Mitchell, you know what an amazing and inspiring man he was to all he met, especially his students. For those of you who did not have the privilege of knowing him, George Mitchell was a fifth grade teacher in Bridgewater, Massachusetts. He was well-known for his fun-loving personality and the disco ball hanging from his classroom ceiling. Mr. Mitchell's classroom held 30 refurbished computers, one for each of his students. He affectionately called his students the "Mitchell's Monsters", telling them "once a Monster, always a Monster".

He had served in the coast guard for five years, during which he earned the title of Lieutenant. Mr. Mitchell also held a bachelor's and master's degrees in education from Bridgewater State College. He was the president of the Bridgewater-Raynham Education Association, a former member of the School Committee and actively supported local youth sports. His dedication and passion for teaching and his students was evident to the entire community, and was always willing to reach into his own pocket for his students, even to the point of paying for children's class pictures if he knew their family was having financial troubles.

A cancer patient almost 30 years ago, George had struggled with the effects of his treatment, but volunteered as a counselor for others who were suffering from cancer themselves. He never thought he would live to see his four children graduate high school, but lived to see the birth of his first grandchild.

Unfortunately, George passed away in his home on Monday May 20, 2002 at the age of fifty-six. Following his death, a former student petitioned students and faculty to rename the Bridgewater Elementary School to the George H. Mitchell Elementary School. Future generations will not have the honor of being taught by Mr. George H. Mitchell but he will forever be remembered and honored for his passion for teaching and his love for his students for all those who pass through his school.

"Once a Monster, always a Monster."

Sources:
Brockton Enterprise - May 20, 2002; Pages B1, B3, B11

American Soldiers (Past & Present)

"The world will little note, nor long remember, what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here."
-Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865), during his famous Gettysburg Address at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania on November 13, 1863


On March 19, 2003 President George Bush officially announced the beginning of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Since then hundreds of thousands of Americans have volunteered themselves to travel overseas to fight for the freedom of the Iraqi people from the tyranny they face. So far, there have been nearly 5,000 coalition deaths and over 30,000 soldiers wounded. Whether you agree with President Bush's choice to go to go war or not you can not argue that these people deserve respect. They are putting their lives on the line to fight for the freedom of ourselves as Americans and the freedom of others.

Although our soldiers are currently fighting in Iraq, men and women have been fighting for our freedom from centuries. the American Revolution, the Civil War, World Wars One and Two, Vietnam, Korea, the Cold War. These are just a few of the the wars we've been involved in over the past 300 years. On July 4, 1776, exactly 332 years ago, we began a free nation. We earned that freedom and we have continued to fight for it ever since. The hundreds of thousands of men and women over seas have risked their lives to uphold the principles started all those years ago by 56 men, two of which later became President of the United States.

The soldiers at Gettysburg in 1863 endured 51,000 casualties and fought to turn the civil war to favor the Union.

Paul Revere made his famous Midnight Ride in 1775 and warned the rebels that the British were headed toward Lexington and Concord.

In Trenton, New Jersey in 1776 George Washington led his troops into battle on December 25 in a surprise attack on the British. The victory was not only physical but also a moral victory as his soldiers were poorly equipped.

Although these are just a few notable battles and people, but all who have fought for our freedom deserve recognition. To all those who have fought to protect us, we salute you.

For a list of all of the men and women who have sacrificed their lives during the past five years, please go here.

Top 5 Sources:
Antiwar.com
Multied.com
USHistory.com
WhiteHouse.gov
History Place

Introduction Post

Welcome to Weekly Heroes. This journal is dedicated to recognizing any person, living or deceased, who has been an inspiration. An inspiration to fulfill your dreams, an inspiration to live life to the fullest, or an inspiration to just have fun. Hero updates will be made every Sunday, as well as general updates may be made throughout the week.

Suggestion Posts will also be made periodically for anyone who may want to suggest someone they think is deserving. Please provide an explanation and/or external links so that I will be able to properly evaluate each candidate. If a suggestion does not get posted it does NOT mean that your suggestion is not deserving. You will receive an explanation as to why the post was not accepted, and you are welcome to make changes or provide additional information.