I have to admit, I love Facebook!
Spending about half an hour on Facebook every day, I talk to all kinds of people from all over the world. I post things that I find valuable and want to share, and I check in with friends and students all the time.
One of my shares a couple weeks ago was this video featuring Jack Leroy Tueller, a 90-year-old man recounting an event during World War II.
Jack played his trumpet during a cold night, despite the fact that one German sniper was somewhere out there. Jack figured “that this German soldier is just as scared and as lonely as I am.” Hmmm….
Being from Germany, my grandparents and my mom and dad lived through the war. I still have my grandma’s tea pot that fell off the table during a bomb attack and it still has a broken spout because of it….
This video caused me to think. There was no right and no wrong in this moment. Just two human beings in the same miserable, life-threatening situation… and they found a common ground.
As always, I very much appreciate your comments and thoughts and hope you’ll check in with me again for another one of Petra’s Pick.
{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }
A very moving story. Thanks for sharing:-)
Beautiful Petra, Thank you so much for posting that video.
The tale of Jack Leroy Tuler and the story of the the Christmas “truce” in that ghastly Great War (WWI) made me think of the quotation, “What if they gave a war and nobody came?”
Barbara,
I used to have this sticker has a teenager in Germany… So true, “What if they gave a war and nobody came?”….
Petra
Very moving, thank you so much for sharing it, such an open hearted act what an amazing man ;0)
Very moving story Petra.Life should be about loving our fellow man,not hating.
Looking forward to your next pick.
The story of Jack Leroy Tuler reminded me right away of the Christmas truce 1914. English and German soldiers along the front line stopped fighting and celebrated togehther (giving each other presents, singing together (“Silent night” in German and English), etc.. The enemy being a friend during one cold night – it was so “bad” for troup morale that the cease fire was forbidden (by penalty of death) the next year.
Thank you for sharing, Ricky. I had heard this story before and it was a good reminder on what is possible…
Yours,
Petra
Thankyou Petra…..that video was beautiful!!! Not only a beautiful message but really made me think of my Dad who loved music and fought in a war too. Blessings to you.
This is lovely Petra! Made me cry! FB is so cool to find great little bits of life and love like this, isn’t it? Thanks for sharing!
Awesome! Too profound for me to truly put into words the feeling I have. Despite the ugliness and hatred this man saw the common truth. We are all nothing moral than common people living our lives with common hopes and dreams. If only the world could see what this man saw. What a wonderful way to express and share a common understanding…..in music. Truly awesome.
Thanks for sharing.
I really loved your comment, Stephanie. Thank you so much for sharing!
Yours,
Petra
Incredibly moving. Thanks Petra. My dad was from Germany and fought for the German Army in the 1st World War and was here in the United States as a citizen during World War II. Time changes things. Steffy
This is sooo powerful. Thank you for sharing it with us. I, too, love Facebook because every day I laugh, cry, am inspired and empowered just from things I read and see on Facebook.
That was lovely – I am from Germany, too… “Auf der gruenen Wiese, hab ich sie gefragt – liebst Du mich, Luise? Ja, hat sie gesagt!”
Very poignant story indeed – thank you for that. Lovelovelove your picks!!
Oh, I didn’t know that you are from Germany, too. Or maybe I just didn’t remember?
Have a fabulous Wednesday, Christina!
Einen schoenen Tag noch…