KP: During the war, the Polish government-in-exile eventually backed Źegota, an official branch of the underground, devoted to saving Jews. Your grandmother, Anna Sokołowska, sheltered several Jews during the war, and she paid for this with her life. It was standard practise for Nazis to shoot entire families of good samaritans.
AS: You see it was very difficult to save one person. These 6000 Polish people recognised by Yad Vashem as the righteous amongst nations – and Poland has the greatest portion of righteous gentiles – they really are heros. Because to hide a person, not for one day, but for weeks, months, even years sometimes, was an incredible achievement. They were like soldiers on the front. Even more so. Because on the front, you have weapons, you have orders, you have leaders. And these people had nobody. They lived under daily threat of death, together with their families. I’m very pleased that the Polish state has recognised these saviours, and given them the rights of veterans. It’s very important.
