Veteran, concentration camp survivor reunite 70 years later

RALEIGH, NC (WWAY) — A 70-year reunion of freedom happened in Raleigh today. A soldier who helped liberate a concentration camp met one of the survivors, as the General Assembly honored both men.

Wilmington veteran George Rose started his war story at 18 years old fighting in World War II.

“It was horrible,” Rose said. “It really, really was.”

Harry Weiss’ war story started when he was 16, as a prisoner of the Nazis.

“I never stood in the front line,” Weiss said. “I didn’t want to be singled out for  anything. I was just dodging the bullets.”

Dodging bullets from camp to camp, including Dachau, with only one thought in his head.

“I had one hope,” Weiss said. “I was very positive. I wanted to survive.”

On April 29, 1945, Rose said he fired at the last guard standing before Dachau was liberated.

“The dummy fired at me, so I fired back and he dropped,” Rose said.

A heroic moment that helped free thousands.

“I was just doing what I was told,” Rose said.

A heroic story that helped give Weiss a survival story. On the 70 anniversary of the Dachau liberation, Rose and Weiss got to share those stories with the entire North Carolina General Assembly.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you here not where we met this last time,” Rose said to Weiss, shaking hands for the first time.

Sen. Phil Berger said they are important stories that need to be told and recognized.

“I think it’s important for the people’s representatives to express  gratitude and recognition on behalf of the state of NC,” Berger said.

A moment that created a new story Rose was not prepared for.

“It’s overwhelming,” Rose said. “I never expected anything like this. I’m a lucky guy.”

After the recognition, the General Assembly passed a resolution recognizing the soldiers and survivors of the camp’s liberation.