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Thank you ~ for saving me

FILE - In this May 2, 2013 file picture a visitor looks at a crematory of the former Nazi concentration camp of Mauthausen during a press presentation of two new permanent exhibitions at the former camp in Mauthausen, Austria. The concentration camp was liberated by U.S. troops on May 5, 1945. Ensconced in the belfry of an ancient castle in Wolfpassing, Austria, where it was mounted by fans of the Nazi dictator in 1939, a bel with sawstika and Adolf Hitler's name has tolled on for nearly 80 years. It survived the defeat of Hitler�s Germany, a decade of post-war Soviet occupation that saw Red Army soldiers bivouacked in the castle and more recent efforts by Austrian government to acknowledge the country�s complicity in crimes of that era and make amends. Some of those efforts have focused on identifying relics of that time and ensuring they're either removed or put in historical context. As an example, officials often cite government moral and material support for the restoration of the Mauthausen concentration camp, where a museum documents the atrocities committed on its inmates for school children and other visitors. (Ronald Zak / Associated Press)
FILE - In this May 2, 2013 file picture a visitor looks at a crematory of the former Nazi concentration camp of Mauthausen during a press presentation of two new permanent exhibitions at the former camp in Mauthausen, Austria. The concentration camp was liberated by U.S. troops on May 5, 1945. Ensconced in the belfry of an ancient castle in Wolfpassing, Austria, where it was mounted by fans of the Nazi dictator in 1939, a bel with sawstika and Adolf Hitler's name has tolled on for nearly 80 years. It survived the defeat of Hitler�s Germany, a decade of post-war Soviet occupation that saw Red Army soldiers bivouacked in the castle and more recent efforts by Austrian government to acknowledge the country�s complicity in crimes of that era and make amends. Some of those efforts have focused on identifying relics of that time and ensuring they're either removed or put in historical context. As an example, officials often cite government moral and material support for the restoration of the Mauthausen concentration camp, where a museum documents the atrocities committed on its inmates for school children and other visitors. (Ronald Zak / Associated Press)

Life offers profound moments and we wish to express gratitude to those who assist us. Sometimes the moments are simple gestures, but sometimes they are life-changing. For Marsha Kreuzman the moment was life-saving.

Joe Barbella was part of the U.S. 11th Armored Division who liberated Mauthausen (Austria) concentration camp on May 5, 1945, where Marsha Kreuzman was imprisoned. Last fall Marsha read a newspaper story about Joe and his wife’s milestone anniversary. In the story Joe was identified as one of the soldiers who liberated the concentration camp where Marsha was imprisoned.

Marsha and Joe have each spent decades telling the story of WWII and the horrors of the camps to school children.They now have an amazing conclusion to their stories: a sweet reunion and a friendship that brings joy and the satisfaction of offering profound gratitude. (View story)

(S-R archive photo:  May 2, 2013 file picture a visitor looks at a crematory of the former Nazi concentration camp of Mauthausen during a press presentation of two new permanent exhibitions at the former camp in Mauthausen, Austria.)

Spokesman-Review features writer Rebecca Nappi, along with writer Catherine Johnston of Olympia, Wash., discuss here issues facing aging boomers, seniors and those experiencing serious illness, dying, death and other forms of loss.