My

rican Hero

ANDREW SAMSON

Special to the Jewish News

S

ometimes, the most brilliant and success-
ful people can come from the humblest
of beginnings. This accurately describes
my Poppa Paul, a Jewish immigrant who
came to the United States from Denmark in the
1940s.
I can only imagine what it must have been like
to travel across the Atlantic Ocean to a new coun-
try. My poppa, a Holocaust survivor, was in
search of a new beginning. With my grandma at
his side, the journey began.
With little knowledge of the American culture,
language, or way of life, my grandparents settled
in Detroit, Michigan, in the spring of 1947. For
his spirit of adventure and discovery, my poppa is
a true American hero.
Just as the great European explorers who had
come to America and explored before him, he
realized that land was the foundation for wealth
in our society. To achieve this goal, he was
encouraged by my grandma to go to night school,
learn a new language and to become an American
citizen.
As his business continued to flourish, he gained
success. Large parcels of land were purchased and
developed for shopping centers, subdivisions and
apartment complexes. As his achievements grew,
he continued to recognize the importance of fam-
ily, education and service to his community.
Shown at the essay award presentation are Norman Samson, Barbara Samson, Andrew Samson, Michigan Secretary
These became the building blocks for the founda- of State Terri Lynn Land and Mark Honeyman, Andrew's teacher.
tion he laid for his family.
•
My grandparents raised four children and pro-
brought
on
by
little
mini-strokes
he
was
having.
The
disease
caused
him to
moted the value of education in each of them. In turn, this has been passed
have
numerous
strokes,
affected
his
speech,
and
challenged
his
way
of think-
on to his grandchildren. I really admire my poppa's work ethic and values
ing.
After
achieving
such
success
through
education
and
self-teaching,
it was
that he taught, which will further be passed from generation to generation.
really
quite
devastating
to
see
him
suffering
with
this
terrible
disease,
which
He became a very successful businessman who believed in quality and
eventually led to his passing.
integrity and I hope to instill these qualities in my children some day.
Although he was probably the most brilliant man I have known, he was
As the years went by, my poppa continued to purchase and sell real estate,
also
the kindest and well-respected man I will ever come close to. He wanted
opened his own restaurant and built and maintained apartment complexes
so
much
for his wife, children and grandchildren to have everything they
and shopping centers. These accomplishments were part of his American
wanted
and
he wanted us, his family, to always be happy. In my eyes,
dream for success, a dream for a man who spoke no English and knew noth-
because
of
his
work ethic, kindness, values, perseverance and spirit, my
ing of the American culture.
Poppa
Paul
is
my
American hero.
A few years after retiring, my poppa was diagnosed with dementia,

❑

Local Student Among Top Ten

A

ndrew Samson, 14-year-old eighth-
grader at West Hills Middle School in
Bloomfield Hills, is one of the top 10 win-
ners in the statewide America & Me essay
contest.
He received an engraved plaque, a say-

5/30
2003

80

ings bond and a check during awards cere-
monies in Lansing. Eighth-graders from
across the state participated in the annual
contest, sponsored by Farm Bureau
Insurance.
Andrew's essay, based on the topic "My

American Hero," earned eighth place in
the state out of nearly 5,000 essays submit-
ted from 525 Michigan schools.
He is the son of Barbara and Norman
Samson of West Bloomfield. Li