Welcome to Monologue Mania- one new free* monologue a day- -and still going!
First of all, I have to say that I believe that what I did was perhaps viewed by others in a different way than what was really happening in this area known as Ponar.
In war, it is important to work together for a common goal - victory.
This was our goal in Germany - but it is a familiar goal to all armies.
We wanted to win, and we trusted that our leaders were giving us the best support and direction.
The people who were brought to us were no longer useful to the future of our goal. In the days of 1940, 1941, 1942, we were able to eradicate large quantities of these people. We were doing the world a service. Not that it was appreciated, but that is the truth of many great events and beliefs.
On a practical level, their clothing was helpful to the families of our soldiers, who were giving their lives for our cause.
And we were successful! Our earliest efforts showed that our goals had value, and the deaths of the people who were no longer useful were helpful to our success.
The fact that we did not win, is the reason I am here today. In 1943, our unit had a simple job. For this we used men who were still strong enough to exhume the bodies that had been eliminated and then burn them. Unfortunately, these men did not understand the importance of their work, and they dug a tunnel to attempt an escape from the ultimate fate we had planned for them.
They did did not grasp the larger picture, that ridding the world of the proof of the events at Ponar was necessary. Others would not understand us, or our goals, which is evident in this court.
So I'm sure you will understand why it was vital to burn the bodies. That some of the people would identify members of their families, this was not of any consequence to our ultimate goal of success, as these Leichenkommando....I believe the translation is...corpse units ....were fulfilling an important need.
Do I have regrets? Yes. I regret that our noble cause did not win the war. I regret that someone revealed the name I have been using for 30 years now, under which I have been a good citizen, as I was before. I believe the record will show that, as I do today, in those years in the war, I obeyed my leaders.
Were they right?
I believe they were.
Thank you.
(He nods and turns to walk off, stops, looks back)
The winners become the judges - and they have the trials for the losers. You are the judges now.
(Lights down on the guard)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ponary_massacre
first year - Feb. 13, 2014 - Feb. 12, 2015 second year - Feb. 13, 2015 - Feb. 12, 2016 third year - Feb. 13, 2016 - today!
I've continued with a monologue a day until the spirit moves me to stop - if you have any ideas for a monologue you want me to write, please let me know at tigerteam1@gmail.com.
I've continued with a monologue a day until the spirit moves me to stop - if you have any ideas for a monologue you want me to write, please let me know at tigerteam1@gmail.com.
If you just started this blog and want to read the earlier monologues- for a list of the titles and blurbs from each day, click here There are now over 1200!
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If you'd like to write your own monologues, I happen to have a book for that -
Thank you for your comments - and for liking and sharing this site. Wishing you much success!
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Monologue Mania Day # 1226 The Guard From Ponar by Janet S. Tiger (c) June 23, 2017
The Guard From Ponar
a monologue by Janet S. Tiger
tigerteam1@gmail.com
(This is an older man, but with military bearing. He is dressed well, expensive suit, nicely fitted. He nods to the side and the audience, formal, European accent)
Thank you, your honor, and this court, this tribunal, for the opportunity to speak, to defend myself against these charges.
In war, it is important to work together for a common goal - victory.
This was our goal in Germany - but it is a familiar goal to all armies.
We wanted to win, and we trusted that our leaders were giving us the best support and direction.
The people who were brought to us were no longer useful to the future of our goal. In the days of 1940, 1941, 1942, we were able to eradicate large quantities of these people. We were doing the world a service. Not that it was appreciated, but that is the truth of many great events and beliefs.
On a practical level, their clothing was helpful to the families of our soldiers, who were giving their lives for our cause.
And we were successful! Our earliest efforts showed that our goals had value, and the deaths of the people who were no longer useful were helpful to our success.
The fact that we did not win, is the reason I am here today. In 1943, our unit had a simple job. For this we used men who were still strong enough to exhume the bodies that had been eliminated and then burn them. Unfortunately, these men did not understand the importance of their work, and they dug a tunnel to attempt an escape from the ultimate fate we had planned for them.
They did did not grasp the larger picture, that ridding the world of the proof of the events at Ponar was necessary. Others would not understand us, or our goals, which is evident in this court.
So I'm sure you will understand why it was vital to burn the bodies. That some of the people would identify members of their families, this was not of any consequence to our ultimate goal of success, as these Leichenkommando....I believe the translation is...corpse units ....were fulfilling an important need.
Do I have regrets? Yes. I regret that our noble cause did not win the war. I regret that someone revealed the name I have been using for 30 years now, under which I have been a good citizen, as I was before. I believe the record will show that, as I do today, in those years in the war, I obeyed my leaders.
Were they right?
Thank you.
(He nods and turns to walk off, stops, looks back)
The winners become the judges - and they have the trials for the losers. You are the judges now.
(Lights down on the guard)
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The guard from Ponar is inspired by truth -
https://www.pri.org/stories/2017-04-19/science-confirms-incredible-story-lithuanias-holocaust-escape-tunnel
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-36664806https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ponary_massacre
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* Note: A few words about 'free' - all these monologues are protected under copyright law and are free to read, free to perform and video as long as no money is charged. Once you charge admission or a donation, or include my work in an anthology, you need to contact me for royalty
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Janet S. Tiger 858-736-6315 CaregiversAnon.org
Member Dramatists Guild since 1983
Playwright-in-Residence
Swedenborg Hall 2006-8
1 comment:
Nothing scarier than true stories.
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