April 5 Meeting Recap

Speaker Larry Tillemans: "The Typist"

Host Walt Gislason

Walt Gislason brought us an exceptional program this past week. Larry Tillemans is believed to be the last living clerk-typist from the Nuremberg Trials. Originally from Minneota, Larry was a signal corps sergeant in the U.S. 3rd Army when he was chosen to help document the testimony of victims and perpetrators of the Holocaust at the infamous Nuremburg War Trials. The cold, remorseless testimony of the world's worst war criminals deeply affected the young Midwesterner. After years of carrying this emotional burden, Larry decided to share his experiences with as many people as possible, a tireless effort that brought one man's voice to a world that sometimes struggles to remember the lessons of the past. His story is featured in "The Typist," an Emmy Award winning documentary which can be seen often on public television, and here: https://vimeo.com/90483538. Larry shared portions of the documentary and his own memories of hearing for the first time the horrors that had been perpetrated by the Nazis in the death camps of Eastern Europe. Larry encouraged us to "always remember, never forget" and to pass on the horrible lessons of World War II. General Bob Shadley thanked Larry for his exceptional service and "is proud to cal him a fellow soldier." Thank you Larry Tilleman and Walt Gislason.