120^th Evacuation Hospital 4^th Annual Reunion

Letter from Richmond, Virginia, September l997

Once again it is time to report on our latest (our 4^th) reunion held September 20-24 1997 in Richmond, Virginia. David Robinson and his wife Cynthia were our very able hosts for the event. David, as you probably all know, is the son of Bruce Robinson, a former member of the 120^th. Bruce passed away in 1993, a short time before our first reunion (celebrating the 50^th anniversary of our unit’s beginning in Kansas City, Missouri, September of l994.

David and Cynthia certainly managed to do an outstanding job in organizing this get-together at the beautiful Jefferson Hotel in Richmond, Virginia. Many of us who traveled by plane were met personally by David or his entourage at the airport, then escorted on an interesting sight-seeing tour, with running commentary, through the historic city on the way to our headquarters hotel, where we met with others of the group who had arrived, and joyfully renewed our acquaintances.

We had a nice group as always, and feel fortunate that we had 24 original members of the 120^th returning. Although our numbers were smaller than we would have preferred, the fact that several wives, special friends, next of kin and families were present, brought our total numbers up to about 50. It is always a special treat to be honored by the presence of the next of kin here, and especially when they allow us to meet some of their family. Bea Kershenblatt and son Bob with his friend Mari, Alma Tucei and son Charles and his wife, Fred Jarrett and his three lovely daughters. David Robinson’s mother---all contributed to a special bond or spirit that is impossible to describe in words; it is most unusual. And to top it all off, to have the reunion hoisted by the next of kin such as David Robinson and his family is a great compliment to the unit.

All sections of the unit were represented, from the youngest (Wayne Mashburn) to the senior ranking medical officer, Dr. Dietrich Bieser, along with his lovely wife Marian. This was Dr. Bieser’s first attendance at our reunion. We enjoyed their company so much, and hope that they will come to our next gathering. Eddie “Mo” was a little late arriving because he had to attend an Oregon Football game, but he was forgiven, for he was honored there for his efforts toward the establishment of a 13.8 million dollar sports center, known as the “Ed Moshovsky Sports Center” at the University of Oregon.

The following day we had a lovely and enjoyable Sunday brunch in the Empire Room of the hotel. That afternoon, we visited the Virginia State museum and the Virginia Historical Society, both of which were very interesting, with an understandable focus on the Civil Way, and the weaponry of the Confederacy. David’s mother Frances was very helpful in pointing out interesting facts and objects to look for. Frances told us later how much she enjoyed the reunion, and how she had come to realize how much she had missed by not being present at the previous reunions. She hopes to attend all future reunions with us!

Sunday evening we were transported by a special bus to the beautifully landscaped historic home of the young Robinsons, located in an outlying community called Bon Air. The weather was great, and we were all able to enjoy a lovely catered buffet dinner under a large canopy tent. Later we were invited to tour their truly unusual home with its treasures and antiques, gathered by Cynthia over the years. She provided us with much of the history of the home and the surrounding area.

On Monday morning, we enjoyed a fine catered breakfast in one of the Jefferson Hotel’s beautiful ballrooms. This was followed by a special history program about Third Army operations in and around Buchenwald during April, l945. The presenter was writer-historian Rebecca Kitch-Bennet, who, at the conclusion of her presentation, introduced several of Richmond’s Holocaust Survivors, who spoke briefly. Our members, Milt Silva and Jerry Hontas also added remarks which added emotion to the meeting. Jerry related eloquently about one interesting and heartbreaking encounter with some of the malnourished survivors while our unit was at Buchenwald. (Shortly after, Jerry received a call which required him to return unexpectedly to his home in Canton, Ohio to appear in a court case on which he had been working. We were so sorry that he had to miss the remaining activities of the reunion.

Next, Carl Lee, our unit treasurer and emcee, conducted a business meeting during which our finances were discussed, some miscellaneous business, etc. Then we began a discussion of future reunion gatherings. Len Herzmark, original committee member and a computer base expert, talked to us about Tucson, Arizona, where he and his wife Barbara have volunteered to host our next reunion in l998. Len showed us some pictures and discussed the Tucson area and its climate, and suggested that the month of November in l998 would be an appropriate time for a reunion in that area. Jack Garwood and his wife Nancy volunteered to host a l999 reunion in Naples, Florida.

We should mention at this time that the Jewish Federation of Richmond, along with Steven Spielberg’s Survivors of the Holocaust, called Shoah Foundation, worked with several members of our unit in an effort to record for history, and for education of our present generation some of our experiences and feelings about the segment of the Holocaust which we witnessed first-hand. Warren Priest gave video recorded accounts of his observations for the Shoah group, and both he and Hugh Steffy gave brief lectures with question and answer sessions in some of the local schools and churches. Warren had a moving experience at a church gathering when he spoke along with a survivor, Mr. Zim, who was a prisoner at Buchenwald in January of l945, but was transferred to Bergen-Belsen to be liberated by the British in April.. Warren found it so easy and natural to establish an immediate friendship with Mr. Zim, in what was a very moving experience for both men.

Monday afternoon, a visit to Richmond’s Valentine Museum and Museum of the Confederacy was on the agenda. We saw so much fascinating historical items and displays with a focus on the Civil War, or “War for Southern Independence”. In the evening, following visits to local restaurants, we got together in our “hospitality room”, and visited for a while before retiring. As usual, this was for many the highlight of the day, for we had an opportunity to catch up on our individual lives, meet new members of the reunion, and be entertained by our own, talented John Schneider with his piano renditions.

Tuesday morning, we boarded a bus which took us to the riverboat “Annabell Lee”, for a delightful cruise down the James River, past some ante bellum mansions along the river. The weather was superb, and so was the southern cuisine and entertainment program. We were able to see not only some of the historic mansions, but areas where “Yankee” soldiers camped during, and probably after the Civil War. We stopped at the beautiful Byrd estate, home of former, prominent Virginia and national political figures, and still occupied by the Byrd family. After a pleasant walk around the Byrd estate, we finally boarded the buses for our return to the hotel.

In the evening, the banquet was held at the Jewish Federation Center. Upon arriving at the Hall, we were welcomed by several Richmond residents who were survivors of the Nazi Holocaust. We had very pleasant talks with several of these survivors, and shared tables at which at least one of the survivors was present along with members of the 120^th. unit. While the Kosher dinner was served, we were able to share our memories with our hosts, and gain further insights as to our individual experiences during and after World War II.

After the dinner, we were entertained by some very special music sung by the Cantor of the Jewish congregation, who was a former opera singer. Carl Lee acted as our emcee again, and introduced members and guests for some short speeches and recognition of efforts by those responsible for the evening’s events. A special plaque was given to David Bruce Robinson, a proclamation signed officially by our Commanding Officer, Captain Edward Moshovsky, making David an honorary member of the 120^th Evacuation Hospital , in recognition of his efforts in behalf of our unit. His wife Cynthia and his mother Frances were also given tokens of our appreciation for their efforts in hosting this reunion in Richmond. The Jewish Federation of Richmond presented each of our members, as well as spouses of our deceased members, with certificates of special appreciation for what we as members of the 120^th Evacuation Hospital had done for them and for other surviving victims of the Holocaust in 1945. Their moving words were written on each certificate:

In 1945

You were there to lift us up

You were there to feed our souls

You were there to clothe our naked selves

You were there in our time of need

You were there to bring humanity back into

our starved lives

And for this…..

We will be forever grateful.

Each certificate was signed by a different survivor on September 23, l997.

The next day was again departure time, and we all look forward to our next meeting in Tucson, when Len and Barbara Herzmark will welcome us as our hosts, sometime in early November, l998.

We look forward to welcoming all our old friends, and renewing acquaintances with others of the 120th whom we have not seen for so long. Do plan to join us, all of you!

Respectfully submitted,

Your Reunion Committee