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My Grandfather Fought in WWII. My Great Grandfather left Poland because the Germans were starting to take occupation of several countries. He left Poland and came to America when he was 16. He lied about his age and went back and fought the Germans. My family has been here since.
I am in a similar situation. My grandfather was born in the US while his parents were visiting, and they went back to Poland. He was too young for WWI, and when the Germans rolled over Poland, he joined the US Army and went back. Apparently almost everyone in his platoon were killed with the exception of him, fighting the Germans, and he had shrapnel wounds he had to treat until the day he died. My Grandmother, unfortunately, had had enough of his trinkets and memorabilia "junk" if you will, and threw everything away when he passed. I remember medals, captured things from the Germans, and some photos where he apparently was involved in liberating one of the concentration camps. I don't know which one, but will never forget the photos. He took them in color.
Apparently I still have relatives living in Poland, but I've never been to Poland, and unfortunately do not know the language, either. One day.
John P.