A memorable march

Some 70 years ago, my now-89-year-old grandfather, Andrew Gardner, marched.  He marched, by force, in death marches, alongside so many who eventually perished at the hands of the Nazis.  This week, my grandfather marched through the vast Walter E. Washington Convention Center during the AIPAC Policy Conference.  He proudly marched with me, one of his ten grandchildren, by his side, along with 16,000 other pro-Israel activists. 

My grandfather, originally from in Gyongyos, Hungary (50 miles east of Budapest), was first sent to a forced labor camp in 1939 at the age of 15.  In 1943, he was sent to the Mauthausen concentration camp.  In 1945, he was evacuated from the camp via a 10-day death march to Gunskirchen where he was ultimately liberated in May of that year.  During the war, he lost his parents, grandparents, three of his four brothers, and counting no further than first cousins another 63 family members.  He immigrated to the United States, arriving in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 1949.  He later settled in Los Angeles, California in 1951, where he currently resides with his wife, Yvette Gardner.  Together, they have three children, 10 grandchildren, and 18 great-grandchildren.

The details and story of my grandfather’s march and journey are well known to me and are my personal source of inspiration for my commitment to Israel, AIPAC, and pro-Israel activism.  Amazingly, his current march, our journey to Washington D.C., in and of itself was an inspiration to so many others.  Merely seeing him, a Holocaust survivor, attending and walking about the conference touched so many people, in such a deep way, that they felt compelled to share their thoughts with us, and no doubt impacted so many more beyond those that made themselves known to us. 

During the long marches from general plenaries, to breakout sessions, to receptions with members of the United States Congress, we were stopped countless times, easily close to 100 occasions.  Individuals approached us time and time again, without any knowledge of his past journey, and would greet my grandfather and say “Thank you so much for being here.  It means so much to us.”  And, “You are an inspiration to all of us.”  Numerous Congressmen and Senators literally embraced him and said, “It is an honor to meet you.”

Gardner with Senator John McCain (AZ)

As we marched together, arm-in-arm, so I could help him keep his balance, as he did some 70 years ago with his uncles supporting each other to simply stay erect and alive, others would approach us and comment, “It is so inspiring to see you and your grandfather here together.”  Others would remark, “It is so special that the two of you can share this experience.”

Gardner with Representative Pete Aguilar (CA-31)

Rising early in the morning, not for a lineup in a forced labor camp, but to line up to clear security for the Prime Minister of Israel, some directed their comments to me, “The way you care for your grandfather is so touching,” and “It is beautiful to see the way your treat your grandfather.”  What they failed to understand, and what I tried to explain, was that it is a privilege and honor for me to accompany him.

Gardner with Representative Steve Israel (NY-3)

On many other occasions, as we marched back to the hotel to rest in the afternoon and late evening, a luxury not afforded to him 70 years ago, I noticed those who observed us and commented privately to each other.

My grandfather’s journey from marching in morning lineups in a concentration camp and a death-march, to today, marching to hear a speech from the Prime Minister of the State of Israel and climbing the steps of the United States Capitol to meet with members of Congress and lobby on behalf of the US-Israel relationship is truly remarkable.  It inspires me, and rightfully inspires so many others. 

I pray that I will continue to have the privilege to march alongside my grandfather as he continues inspiring others to support and advocate for the State of Israel, that he loves so dearly, for many more years to come.

Andrew Gardner currently resides in Los Angeles with his wife, Yvette Gardner.  The Gardners are longstanding and passionate AIPAC members and have been instrumental supporters of numerous local Jewish institutions and Israel related organizations including JNF, Israel Bonds and Shelters for Israel. 

Michael Buchman is a pro-Israel activist and a member of AIPAC’s Los Angeles Young Leadership Council.  He lives in Los Angeles with his wife and three children.