Recently, we enjoyed watching the new film by George Clooney called The Monuments Men (some of the real heroes seen above). I really enjoy discovering stories I had never heard of ordinary people willing to do extraordinary things.
The film shows the story of 7 Allied troops rescuing art from Hitler, the Nazis, and the Soviets.
The real story: 350 men and women from 13 nations rescued 5 million paintings, sculptures, and other works of art.
I had not realized that Hitler attempted to steal the art and culture of Europe and then ordered its destruction if he were to die or the Nazis were to lose the war. Fortunately his orders were never carried out.
The film really wrestles with the idea: should people risk their lives to protect our culture?
So grateful for the ways so many risked so much to fight against evil and for freedom.
For more on the differences between the film and what really happened, go here.
Another story on the Monuments Men, more can be found here.
