San Antonio Survivors - Ilona and Nathan Haendel

Ilona was born in Hungary and received a Swiss letter of protection. With this letter she and her family were safely sequestered. Her former maid, Janosne Oros, brought food and supplies for their survival. After a period of time the Germans refused to honor the letter of protection. Ilona was forced on a death march from Budapest to Vienna. She escaped and then hid in the home of Mrs. Oros, until the Russians liberated Budapest. Mrs. Oros’ name has been inscribed in the honor wall in the Garden of the Righteous at Yad Vashem, Jerusalem.
Nathan was born in Poland and went to Vienna to study voice. He recognized the danger lurking and went to France where he joined the Army in order to avoid deportation. After the fall of the Maginot line his entire unit was allowed to enter Switzerlnad where he remained until the end of the war.

Both Ilona and Nathan are deceased but, their daughter speaks to groups for the museum to tell their survival experiences as a Second Generation speaker.