From Dust and Ashes (35 page)

Acknowledgments

Many thanks go to the following people:

T
here are two special people I’d like to thank-first and foremost, my husband, John Goyer, for loving me and believing in my dreams. And my best friend, Cindy Martinusen, who introduced me to writing, to Europe, and to World War II history. This book would not be here without you both!

To my children, Cory, Leslie, and Nathan. You are great (and very patient) kids!

To my family, Ron Waddell, Linda and Billy Martin, my brother Ronnie, and my grandmother Dolores Coulter. I can always count on your love. Thanks to my brother-in-law, Tim Goyer, for working with me on my website to get the true narratives of the WWII veterans available to all. Also to John and Darlyne Goyer. Thanks for the numerous days you provided me with quiet time to write!

To Anne de Graaf for driving Cindy and me around Europe (road trip!), and for believing in this story. And to Jennifer Harmon (a.k.a. Kiki) and Lorie Popp for joining us on the second research trip.

Thanks to Annie Von Trapp for sharing the beautiful message of the edelweiss.

To my One Heart and Blessed Hope Sisters, always praying, forever faithful. And for my special friends, Tara Norick, Twyla Klundt, and Jamie Spaulding—your friendship is precious.

To my friends at Easthaven Baptist Church for your encouragement and your help with my kids.

To my writing buddies who read through the many stages of this manuscript, especially to Ocieanna Fleiss, Bob Burdick, Sharie Bonura, Marlo Schalesky, my fellow sojourners from Dennis Foley’s critical scenes class. Your input was great! And to Robin Gunn who took time to care after that first writer’s conference and has been a long-distance inspiration to me in so many ways.

To my agent-extraordinare, Janet Grant, and my editors Michele Straubel, Kathy Ide, and Lisa Bergren. You make me look good.

To Marta Gammer who first shared the true stories that inspired this book and who continued to help with information during the writing process. May God bless the work you do to preserve the history of the Gusen and Mauthausen camps!

To Willy Nowy. Thank you for sharing your experiences of growing up near a death camp. You are fantastic. And to Heidi Mahr, my wonderful translator.

To others who helped with my research, Gregg A. Urda, Mararet Gerace, Vera Zanardelli, Bob Pfeiffer, and Art Venzin. Thanks again.

And a special thanks to the men of the 11
^th
Armored Division who have found a special place in my heart. LeRoy Woychik, LeRoy “Pete” Petersohn, Charlie White, Thomas Nicolla, Ross Snowdon, Arthur Jacobson, David Wofsey, Charles Torluccio, Bill Mann, Al Dunn, Bert Heinold, Joseph Lawolki, Tony Petrelli, Ray Stordahl, Roy Ferlazzo, Tarmo Holma, Calvin Caughey, Alfred Ferrari, Lester Freeman, Darrell E. Romjue, John Slatton, Ivan Goldstein, Harry Saunders, Leonard Kyle, Barrington Beutell, and Wilfred McCarthy. I feel honored to share your stories.

Also, to George Brown, holocaust survivor. Thank you.

And, finally, may all glory go to God, who birthed this story in my heart and showed me the truth about His true, eternal libertation. In Christ there is freedom indeed.

Table of Contents

PART ONE

PART TWO

PART THREE