WHITE ROSE: Reader Tim Vecellio passed along this piece of history for us to share today.
Tim writes, “February 22 marks the execution of Sophie Scholl. Sophie, along with her brother Hans circulated flyers of anti Nazi sentiment during the Third Reich period of Nazi Germany.
“Unfortunately, their luck ran out and they were caught distributing their paper called The White Rose at the University of Munich.
“Hitler was so infuriated and fearful of a free press, that he ordered them to be tried a mere four days after their arrest.A kangaroo hearing overseen by the notorious Nazi judge Roland Freisler, found the two siblings guilty and ordered them sentenced to death by guillotine.
“Else Gebel shared Sophie Scholl’s cell and recorded her last words before being taken away to be executed: ‘It is such a splendid sunny day, and I have to go. But how many have to die on the battlefield in these days, how many young, promising lives. What does my death matter if by our acts thousands are warned and alerted. Among the student body there will certainly be a revolt.’
“After her death, the sixth edition of The White Rose was smuggled out of Germany and the allies dropped millions of the leaflets over Europe.
“Although mostly unknown in America, every German knows the legacy of Sophie.Today, there are over 200 schools named after Sophie and Hans Scholl in Germany and countless streets and squares.Her story can be seen in the 2005 movie entitled, ‘Sophie Scholl, The Final days.’”
Thank you, Tim. It’s certainly important to honor the people who sacrifice to stand up for what’s right, and to remember the lessons of history so we don’t repeat past mistakes.
GEESE: We had two calls on Tuesday from readers who were surprised to see flocks of geese flying overhead during February.
One man who was working on oil wells just north of Westline on Tuesday afternoon was so surprised he stopped to take a video. “I’ve never seen them this early. I’m in the woods every day,” he told us.
Similarly, Kathy Gotshall saw geese about 9:30 a.m. flying above Port Allegany.
