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Varian M. Fry

by Edward from San Diego

Who is He (http://www.rgolz.de/fry-portrait.jpg )
Who is He (http://www.rgolz.de/fry-portrait.jpg )

Most heroes are remembered for generations for their very short moment of heroism. Most people will never forget people like Martin Luther King Jr. and even Superman. There is a man who has done just as much and maybe even more and hasn’t even been remembered. This man’s name is Varian Fry. Then the question comes to mind. “Who is Varian Fry? I never heard of him.” Varian Fry was a man who saved many people during World War 2. Varian Fry went above the call of duty and risked his life for complete strangers.

Varian Fry was born October 15, 1907 in New York, New York. As a kid he had a condition called Hypochondria which is a person who thinks he or she is sick or will become sick, and also was considered an introvert which is a person who is very shy. When he got into school he seem very bored and distracted, so his parents sent him to a private school for the elite in Connecticut. When he got there he seemed to have trouble making friends. He wore very fancy clothes and rejected anyone less talented than him," He attracted few friends and much ridicule,"(Gale Research Gold) . After being sent to a different private school he then went to Harvard college and earned a bachelor’s degree. After he got his bachelor’s degree he married a magazine editor named Eileen Hughes who was seven years older than him.

Varian Fry walking down the streets of France (http://www.ushmm.org/lcmedia/photo/lc/image/01/01230.jpg)
Varian Fry walking down the streets of France (http://www.ushmm.org/lcmedia/photo/lc/image/01/01230.jpg)

In 1935, Fry took a business trip to the newly empowered Nazi Germany while employed by a prominent magazine. During his venture he was appalled by the Nazi’s violent anti-semitism. Fry described his observations when asked: “I saw with my own eyes young Nazi toughs gather and smash up Jewish-owned cafés, watched with horror as they dragged Jewish patrons from their seats, drove hysterical, crying women down the street, knocked over an elderly man and kicked him in the face." - (Fry, Varian M.) Fry was shaken by his experience which resulted in his volunteering as a speaker and writer against the racist violence in Nazi Germany. In June of 1940, France fell to the Nazis in a “surrender on demand.” When asked about the events, Fry declared “The fall of France, in June, 1940, meant the creation of the most gigantic man trap in history. I could not remain idle as long as I had any chance at all of saving even a few of Hitler’s victims.” (Fry, Varian M.) He began his campaign to save as many people as possible from the horrors of the holocaust. Throughout the next five years, Varian Fry would rescue nearly 4,000 Jews and “Undesirables” from certain death. All those who were aware of his accomplishments referred to him as the “American Schindler”.

Once Fry was kicked out of France he came back to the United States expecting a hero's welcome, but to his shock no one did anything for him. Shortly after returning he began to write and speak about the horrors he experienced in Europe. He would speak about the oncoming destruction of European Jews, but also to his surprise it seemed to him that no one was listening to his warning about the oncoming massacre. He had little help with spreading the message,"wanted to forget about the whole business and just get on with their lives. Some, including people who had once begged on their knees for Fry to save them, were too busy to be bothered by his modest requests for help."( Fry, Varian M.). Not only did Fry have troubles finding help, his marriage ended in divorce. He even went to join the Army but was rejected because of his weak stomach. When he found a second wife named Annette Riley he had three children whose names were Sylvia, Thomas and James. After nearly 27 years he was awarded a medal from the French Legion of Honor. Then, still unrecognized by his own country he died because of a heart attack on September 13, 1967. One of the policeman found a book Fry was writing about his rescue mission the police said “the book appeared to be a work of fiction.”(Fry, Varian M.).

Varian Fry (http://pagesperso-orange.fr/d-d.natanson/fry.jpg)
Varian Fry (http://pagesperso-orange.fr/d-d.natanson/fry.jpg)

Varian Fry is an inspiration because of his sacrifice to save lives and the courage to smuggle Hitler’s targets right out from under his nose. “The Nazi men were destroying a jewish owned cafe. I witnessed a Jewish man being beaten in the street. At that moment I know I had to do something.” (Fry,Varian M.) Varian did something so remarkable and so brave for so little it wasn’t till 16 years after his death that he was recognized by the United States. He inspires people to do great things but not for the reward but to rise up and go beyond the Call of Duty to help complete strangers.

Page created on 5/31/2010 12:00:00 AM

Last edited 5/31/2010 12:00:00 AM

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