"Margie Bang's Nuremberg Page" a Nürnberg Travel Page by MissyWQ

This is a 1963 photo of myself, Margie Bang and my four sons, ages 3,4,5,7. (Three were born in Germany) Moved to Nuremberg in 1957. Lived in an apartment building for U.S.Army officer's families. Unlike most Army wives, I learned the German language. I met many German people who said they dare not complain about Hitler's government or they would disappear like the neighbors who did.

I left in 1961 with 3 babies born to me in Germany and also my five yr. old from Massachusetts, all boys. Years later in San Jose, California they cried that they might be forced into the German Army. They had watched the TV series "Combat" with actor Vic Morrow. I told them the Nazi Army is gone and Germany is a Democracy thanks to our Marshall Plan aid to help them rebuild and confront communism. I wish countries who oppose us today understood we only want what is best for their government.

Now at the turn of the millenium World War II seems so long ago. If you go to virtualtourist.com and find Nuremberg or Berlin pages you'll find happy photos of travel throughout beautiful Germany by people from all over the world in their 20's, 30's, 40's and even 50's who never experienced war.

In the film "Judgment at Nuremberg, actor Spencer Tracy visits CHristkindlmart where I had my first taste of the wonderful Lebkucken cookies.

Seeing Marlene Dietrich playing a part in the film, where she says, "We're all not monsters." is a tribute to her as she was in real life greatly opposed to the Nazi. Glad to hear there is a Plaza named for her in Berlin.

Perhaps I would have added to the film: Judgment at Nuremberg, the story of the German Generals and officers waiting in Berlin for news of Hitler's demise by a bomb. These German officers who tried desperately to upset Hitler's rule were hung slowly by piano wire.

Today, the Germans have a word for their concern about the Hitler era, Vergangenheitbewaltegung. It means "coping with the past." They consider it a grim, unwelcome chapter in their history.

I was often asked, "Why do you think the people never did anything about Dachau and other concentration camps?" I answer: "Germans told me that whoever talked against them, disappeared in the night. Neighbors were frightened for their very lives." Incidently, I was only 7 years old when I first heard of the concentration camps. I was told about it by my compassionate mother in 1939. She read about it in Virginia in the "Richmond News Leader" that my older brother delivered door to door.

Many years later, 1958, when I visited the infamous "Dachau camp"
I stood in the gas chamber and scratched on the metal doors,
trying to imagine what horror so many Jews and others endured.

"Eleven million died in concentration camps, six million of which were Jews." Ellie Weisel

If we fight a third world war with nuclear weapons, we will be fighting the next war with sticks and stones. Albert Einstein

Nuclear weapons: May they RUST in peace. Bumper Sticker Philosophy

There is no cure for nuclear war__only prevention. Ken Keyes, Jr.

Where there's war, there's injustice. Leo Tolstoy

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One of my sons, namely Eric Bang now of Reno was Christened in St. Lorenz Cathedral. St. Lorenz is the largest church in Nurnberg. It was built in 13th century in Gothic style. Inside you find numerous masterpieces of art work. I visited Nurnberg Nov. 10, 2005 with my grandson on leave from Iraq.
He wanted to see where his Dad was born in 1958 in a U.S. Army Hospital in Nurnberg.

The Chriskindlsmart is here around Christmas Wonderful Lebkuchen cookies are sold here tnen. This "Schoener Brunnen" is thought to be a steeple from the FrauenKirke but it isn't. It is a beautiful water fountain. People love to shine the gold ring imbedded in the gate for luck.

Believe it or not there are two million visitors to the Christmas Market in December.
There are many food and toy stalls set up in the area.