There was only one reason Leon Gersten and his Jewish family lived through World War II: the compassionate actions of one heroic Polish family.
For two years, the Polzeics hid the Gerstens from the Nazis in the their attic in Poland. The Polziecs, who had five kids, put themselves at an inconceivable risk by hiding the family, but they refused to give up them up. The Gerstens remained hidden until the Soviet troops freed the area from the Nazis in July 1944.
Sixty-nine years later, Leon reunited with one of the children, Czeslaw, at John F. Kennedy Airport in New York City. The two men couldn’t hide their smiles during the emotional reunion (similarly to the Vietnam veterans who met again after 37 years).
“I can not believe that I am here,” Czeslaw told reporters. “I am very happy that after 69 years of separation, I can finally meet my friend.”
Leon, who was just as pleased, also thanked Czeslaw for everything his family had done for Leon and his four family members.
“We never forgot the fact that you and, of course, your parents are the ones who saved our lives and the only reason we are alive is because of you and your family,” Leon said.
And wait till you see who else showed up to thank Czeslaw, too.
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