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A Camp Without Walls
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A portion of book proceeds will go to Feeding America.
“Dr. Lombardo’s clear and concise account about
Salvatore Lombardo, her father’s and the rest of her
family’s struggle to survive during WWII, is a
remarkable story of a former Italian soldier.“
~ Professor Herman Taube, accredited correspondent
of the White House Press Corps
From A Camp Without Walls
Salvatore Lombardo was one of two survivors who escaped
death in a Nazi prison camp. His harrowing story of the time
he spent in the prison camp and the impact on his life after
his freedom conveys the emotions felt by him and his family,
and confirms the consequences of war.
For years I have not spoken of my experience. I felt no need to discuss the past. My goal has been progress for
myself and my family. I thought that if I did not discuss the past, it would somehow be erased from my mind. I
thought that I would forget the cries of men around me with hungry, defeated eyes. I would forget the cold of the
gun cocked at my head and the waiting for shot that never came. I purposely worked days as a plasterer and did
many night and weekend jobs. As you know, it was not only for the extra income, as I said, but it was a way for me
to shake off my past. I was at peace by day, when I was in control of my mind, but at night the same episodes
appeared before my eyes, again and again. Then I would try even harder to suppress the past. I did not want to
remain psychologically in the past.
But I now realize that we have to talk about the past to you so that you and young people may not only be able to
understand us better but so that you may learn not to make the same mistakes that others have made. Wars are
divisive, they foster hatred and bring out the worst traits in humans. To survive on this earth, people need to begin
looking at their similarities and address their common areas of concern. They must accept their differences as they
unite in celebrating their humanity. As you know, we cannot take freedom for granted in our lives when so many
men died to give us freedom.
I have been a man in control throughout my life. I chose to resist the oppressors. I chose to marry Rose, and I
chose to bring my family to America. I chose to work hard. I chose for my children to become educated. I guess
because God gave me this much control over my life and that of my family, I forgot one thing, and that is God’s
power. That is the simple reason I could not explain why I survived the slave labor camp, why I lived and my friends
did not. Why Antonio died. Why I did not resume my old life back in Greece. Why I am surviving this heart attack.
I only did what I thought was right. I am living proof that we can all make a difference in our own way. I was willing
to give up my life so that, you, my children, and other people’s children, could lead a better life. During the war, I
fought for people's rights, and here in America I fought for you to have a better way of live than the one I could
provide for you. I wanted each of you to gain position and respect, so you would not have to suffer the humiliation I
suffered in being intelligent but uneducated. I wanted my children to develop their skills and talents and to provide
their own children with the same opportunities. I cannot apologize for who I am. I can only embrace who you are
and try to learn from you now. Perhaps this will allow me to be a better grandfather.
He reflected on something his granddaughter said: “I have to hug Nonno now because he doesn’t kiss or hug
anybody.” He knew he had not been able to show any emotion since the war. In the hospital room, our family began
to understand. We realized that, although we had much to learn, we now had a knowledge of our background and
had a basis for working out our problems. Our father had only wanted the best for us. Many times he had faced life-
or-death situations, and he had known hardship. He had not been given the opportunity to pursue an education. He
wanted his children to seize that opportunity and make a better life for themselves.
Finally, my father woke up to see his family escaping from the camp without walls.