West Bloomfield Internal Medicine Introduces Dermatology and Cosmetic Associates "Sir Nicholas Winton saw a need, saw suffering and he didn't sit down, didn't write letters; he took action." 4111116 Dr. James Bragman - Stephen Goldman, executive director, Holocaust Memorial Center Sir Nicholas Winton at 104 modest means:' his son said. "The children arrived at Liverpool Station with only a luggage tag around their necks to identify them." Determination And Creativity Obtaining government approvals for transporting the children from Prague to Britain was complicated, but Sir Nicholas was determined and creative — forging exit documents or bribing officials when necessary. The largest trainload of 250 children was scheduled to leave on Sept. 1, 1939, but Britain declared war on Germany that day and the borders were closed. The train never left the station and most of these children later died. "Something my father regrets hugely," Winton said. During the war, Sir Nicholas was a flight instructor for the Royal Air Force, unable to serve as a com- bat pilot because he wore glasses. Afterward he worked for an interna- tional refugee organization, collect- ing lost and unclaimed jewelry and non-monetary gold for sale to ben- efit the new State of Israel. Winton returned to the business world and became very active in community service, focusing on special needs The Czech Kindertransport children and better housing for the elderly. His life-saving Czech Kindertransport was not well-known until the 1980s, when Elizabeth Maxwell, a Holocaust researcher and wife of British newspaper owner Robert Maxwell, began to track down the rescued children. Then Sir Nicholas was invited to appear on a BBC television program and was shocked to learn that the woman sitting next to him was one of the Kindertransport children. "My father, who is very reserved, became tearful," Winton said. Since then, there have been many reunions with the 669 children, their grandchildren and great-grandchil- dren, and he has formed friendships with many of them. There are an estimated 5,000-6,000 surviving Czech Kindertransport children and descendants around the world. Winton was knighted in 2003 and has returned to Czechoslovakia sev- eral times to receive awards. "My father believed that life was not a spectator sport:' Winton said. "He took a big problem a slice at a time. Sir Nicholas would think, 'We need to do something. How can I be involved so I can make a difference?"' ❑ saved 669 lives Dr. Heather Roebuck Forozan Afrin You are wrdialle invited, to attend, an Evening of Beaut e and, Exciting cosmetic specials as we welcome Dermatd,ody cfc- cosmetic Associates (L)r. Heather Roebuck Doctor of Nursing Practice And, Forozan 4frin skin care consultant Thu,rs, stytember 11 2014 6 J,m, 8 y.m. Hosted, bey Dr. James retentecn, west Bloomfield, Internal ,Ntedicine,muttispecialto clinic , Educational Activities, food, and relaxing treatments j ,rovided, during the celebration RSVP AT 248.855.7453 Maple Park, 6014 West Maple Road, West Bloomfield, MI 48322 C.) Krid gm' THE WELL MANNERED DOG TRAINING PROGRAMS ♦ PRIVATE BOARDING ♦ BEHAVIOR MANAGEMENT Birmingham ♦ Detroit ♦ Grosse Pointes ♦ Royal Oak ♦ Rochester 111111 7:berry, 7.0ist Bel =11 jan Nick Winton spoke about how his father, Sir Nicholas Winton, 104, saved 669 Czech children on a Kindertransport to Britain. rl Pi r Animal Learning Systems 28 Years Serving the Great Lakes Region animallearningsystems.com 313.882.6180 248.236.99 7, 4411 JN September 11 • 2014 19