An oral history project led by former schoolteacher Matthew Rozell has uncovered compelling stories from World War II veterans, including the dramatic liberation of 2,500 Holocaust survivors from a so-called "death train" in April 1945. Rozell, the author of A Train Near Magdeburg, interviewed veterans and worked with historian James Bulgin and filmmaker Mike Edwards to preserve these memories. The project highlights the personal accounts of soldiers who witnessed some of the most harrowing moments of the war. Elizabeth Connolly found photos of Holocaust survivors in her father’s belongings, which led her to ask about their origin. Her father, Carrol Walsh, a U.S. Army sergeant, shared the story of discovering a train filled with Holocaust victims during his service in World War II. Walsh recounted that on April 13, 1945, American soldiers found the train near Magdeburg, Germany, carrying 2,500 Jewish prisoners from the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp, who were being transported to another camp. The soldiers provided immediate care and support to the survivors, many of whom were on the verge of death. Rozell conducted the interview with Walsh in 2001 but initially did not realize the historical significance of the story. After posting the interview online, Rozell was inspired to write his book and organize reunions for American soldiers and survivors. One such survivor was Peter Lantos, who became a renowned neuroscientist and author. Lantos, who was five years old at the time, described the dire conditions at Bergen-Belsen and the moment of liberation by American forces. Historian James Bulgin emphasized that the people on the train were on the brink of death when the Americans intercepted them. He noted the chaotic end of the war and the role of chance in preserving the story of liberation and survival. Bulgin also highlighted the significance of newly discovered physical evidence, such as photos uncovered by filmmaker Mike Edwards, which provide fresh insights into the Holocaust. Edwards, who is working on a documentary about the event, described the story as one of humanity and stressed the importance of remembering the choices individuals made to care for others. Rozell, now retired from teaching, emphasized the lesson that the soldiers could have chosen not to help but did so, and he highlighted the importance of education in ensuring such stories are not forgotten. The project serves as a reminder of the power of individual actions and the enduring value of preserving historical memory.