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My G-d saved me from the Holocaust and sent me to Fayetteville, North Carolina in Cumberland County. — The first line of his speech

The words on this page come from a speech John Green typed out himself: six pages, with his own pen corrections in the margins. He wrote it after 37 years of marriage to Ursula, which puts it around 1984. The section summaries in italics are added for context. Everything else is his own words, with only spelling corrected.

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Early Life near Koblenz

Hans Gruenebaum was born in the Rhineland, near the city of Koblenz, where the Moselle meets the Rhine. His family ran a general store. He lost his father at four, and he lost his schooling at thirteen when the Nazis took power.

I was born in Germany, May 8, 1920 in a small town near Coblenz, Germany. We were a family of 5 children and my parents; Leo, Max, Beatrix, Ruth and myself, I being the youngest. My family had a department store selling general merchandise. My father passed away when I was 4 years old. I was unable to finish High School due to Hitler coming into power. My formal education stopped at age 13.

Alone in Holland

At fourteen, with help from a family friend, Hans left Germany by himself. He found work in a bakery in Apeldoorn, the trade that would carry him through the next ten years.

It was due to a friend of our family I was sent to Holland at the age of 14. I was all alone and obtained a job in a bakery in Apeldoorn, Holland. I worked for two years here.

Paris and the World's Fair

His oldest brother had also fled Germany. Hans joined him in Paris and spent six months making candy at the 1937 Paris International Exposition.

After two years I left for Paris, France to see my oldest brother. He also had to leave Germany or be sent to the Concentration Camps. For six months I worked in Paris at the World's Fair making candy.

The Route to North Carolina

From the Rhineland to Holland, then Paris, then across the Atlantic to New York, and finally south to North Carolina. Relatives in Greensboro sponsored his papers. Tap a stop to follow the route.

Arrival in New York

Hans arrived on November 11, 1937, at seventeen, without a word of English. By his second day he had a job. He spent the next year and a half baking through the night in Manhattan.

My life was now again to change. Through relatives in Greensboro, N.C. I was able to obtain my papers to go to the United States of America. On November 11, 1937 I landed in the ‘Promised Land’. I could not speak a word of English and a cousin had to get me off the boat.

On November 11, 1937 I landed in the ‘Promised Land’. I could not speak a word of English and a cousin had to get me off the boat. — John Green

I had an address of a boy that had worked for an uncle in Germany as a baker. I called this man and I had a job on my second day in New York. I worked once again in a bakery on Columbus Avenue. This was a short distance from a room I had on Lexington Avenue. This job was hard. It was long hours, from 9 pm to 10 or 11 am. After six months at this job, I found a new one. For a year I was employed in a cake shop on Broadway and 181st Street.

South to Carolina

An uncle from California brought Hans and his sister Ruth to North Carolina. After two weeks in Mount Airy and a year at Draughon Business School in Winston-Salem, his uncle died, and the young immigrant answered the employment office's question with a single word.

After this year, my uncle from California came to New York on business. My sister, Ruth had also arrived in the United States. He said we should go to North Carolina. We spent two weeks in Mount Airy and then my uncle told me he wanted me to go to school in Winston Salem, N.C. I attended Draughon Business School for one year. My uncle passed away after this year and I was forced to find employment.

The first thing I did was go to the N.C. Employment Office. I told the man I was looking for a job. He asked ‘What kind of job?’. I said “Anything!”. I was instructed to go to the Ball Park and sell score cards and ice cream and Coca-Cola. I did this. Two nights later, this same man was at the Ball Park and said on Thursday, Friday and Saturday I could work at a Shoe Store. This was all fine with me.

He asked ‘What kind of job?’. I said “Anything!”. — John Green, at the N.C. Employment Office

Finding the Salvage Business

A chance conversation in a bakery got him into the salvage yards, and he stayed in that work for the rest of his life. He went on to run Southern Converting Company's Winston-Salem branch and then moved to Brenner Industries.

One evening, as I was in a Bakery, I met a man and as we talked of what we did, he offered me a job. It was working on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday in a Salvage Yard. This job was right up my alley! For a while I continued working all three jobs. After a few weeks I was hired full time at the Salvage Yard.

It was not long before I was asked to take over the operation of Southern Converting Company of Greensboro in their Winston Salem branch. A few months later the operation was bought out by Brenner Industries in Winston Salem. I then transferred over to Brenner Industries. I did so enjoy this line of work. I began at the bottom learning the business and worked my way to the top in my own Salvage Yard, many years later.

Fort Bragg and Camp Hood

Drafted in 1941, the former baker volunteered in the kitchen on his first Thanksgiving at Fort Bragg. That led to cooking, then teaching cooks at Camp Hood, Texas, and then a post as supply sergeant with the 611th Tank Destroyer Battalion.

In 1941, the President of the United States sent me notification to enlist in the United States Army. I was glad to do my part for my country. In October, I came to Fort Bragg, N.C. to take my Basic Training at B-14-5 RTC. On Thanksgiving Day, our cook was intoxicated and could not fulfill his duty. My Company Commander asked for volunteers to assist in the kitchen. Having been a Baker, I volunteered.

After Basic, I was stationed at Fort Bragg as a Cook. In 1943, I was sent to Camp Hood, Texas as an Instructor in a Cooking School. Upon arrival at my Company, my CO asked if I could take over the Supply Room. With his assistance, I accepted. After seven months, I was once again relocated to the 611 TD Battalion at Camp Hood, Texas as a Supply Sergeant. During this time, I also took training in the field.

Return to Europe

In 1944, the boy who had fled Germany went back as an American soldier. He was assigned to the Military Intelligence Service, which trained many German-speaking refugees for intelligence work, and served from Normandy into Germany and Austria.

In May we received our orders for Europe. On the train I was informed that I was the Acting 1st Sergeant until we arrived in Europe. We landed on D-Day in England. We received 20 days training and then arrived in Normandy, France. I was assigned to MIS to do my schooling in Germany. I served under four Generals; General Eisenhower, General Bradley, General Patton and General Clark.

Dachau, Munich, and Vienna

The German-Jewish refugee was among the first American soldiers to enter Dachau. He received the Bronze Star for undercover work in Munich with the XV Corps.

I was one of the first GI's to liberate the Concentration Camp at Dachau. — John Green

I was one of the first GI's to liberate the Concentration Camp at Dachau. I was awarded the Bronze Star for undercover work in Munich for the XV Corps. We were then sent to Vienna to meet the Russians.

Ursula

On the last two days of a ten-day furlough in England, he met the girl of his dreams. They had one date, wrote letters for more than a year, and married four days after she arrived in America.

After the war in Europe had ended, I was given a 10 day furlough in England. On the last two days, I met the girl of my dreams. It was love at first sight. This was it! We had only one date and on Saturday I returned to Vienna. We corresponded with one another for some time. In December, 1945 I was discharged from the Service, and returned to Winston Salem, to my old company, Brenner Industries and my old job. I was not very happy. I missed Ursula, the girl I had met [in England], and I wanted to go into business for myself.

On the last two days, I met the girl of my dreams. It was love at first sight. This was it! — John Green, on meeting Ursula

I needed to remedy these situations. After six months, I wrote to Ursula and proposed. It took another nine months for her papers to clear. She arrived on a Saturday and the following Wednesday, February 19, 1947 we were married.

Cohen & Green Salvage Company

He had his Army savings, one truck, one wrecker, and a partner he trusted: Harold Cohen, his former supervisor and a veteran of the Pacific. Together they bought a Fayetteville salvage yard. One rule built their name: every bill paid by the tenth of the month.

As I stated I wanted to be in business for myself. I checked the trade papers and located a Salvage business for sale in Fayetteville, N.C. The next Sunday I drove to look over the business, speak to the owners and negotiate a price. With only a limited amount of money which I had saved in the Army, price was a major factor. While in Winston Salem, I had worked with Harold Cohen. At the time, he served as my Supervisor for Southern Converting Company. He had also returned from the Service in the Pacific. We decided to become partners and we bought out the Lesson Salvage Company in Fayetteville.

It was very difficult in the beginning. We had one truck and one wrecker. Our first employee, Lee Smith is still with the Company. We changed the name to Cohen and Green Salvage Company and established several Company policies. All bills would be paid by the tenth of each month. By doing the above, we established extremely high credit with others.

All bills would be paid by the tenth of each month. — The founding policy of Cohen & Green

After 30 years of wonderful success and friendship, I purchased my partner's, Harold Cohen, interest in the business. I now put my two sons, Michael and Ronald, into the business. We expanded to Raeford and Lumberton, North Carolina. I have been very fortunate to have these two men to continue in the goal I set for myself years ago. They continue to live and work by the standards that were originally established when I went into business for myself.

Family and Faith

He was proud of his children's education and his daughter's work with children with learning disabilities. He also wrote plainly about his heaviest losses, the death of his oldest son and the loss of both legs, and about the faith that carried him through.

I also have a daughter living and working in Raleigh, N.C. She is a Special Educator of Learning Disabled Children. I believe she has learned from my wife and I, the true meaning of helping the less fortunate and the act of giving to others. All of my children have brought me much happiness and pride. I am also proud each of my children were able to complete their formal education through college.

Not all things in my life have gone the way I expected. G-d made me aware and have faith. I lost my oldest son at the age of eleven in a bicycle accident. My wife and I have never lost faith in G-d. I am a double amputee, walking on two artificial legs. I have never asked, “Why me?”. I get along fine. I see people in wheelchairs, not able to walk at all. I am thankful for the many joys life has brought to me.

I have never asked, “Why me?”. I get along fine. … I am thankful for the many joys life has brought to me. — John Green

A Helper and a Giver

In Fayetteville he served his synagogue, his fellow veterans, and his neighbors, including helping to found one of North Carolina's first schools for Black children with disabilities.

Throughout my life in Fayetteville, I have been able to do many things. I have been very involved with my synagogue, Beth Israel Congregation. I have served as Building Chairman, Treasurer, member of the B'nai B'rith Lodge, and an officer and still serving on the Beth Israel Burial Society. I am a helper and a giver to others who cannot help themselves. I have been able to do this in several means. I was one of the founders of the first black handicap schools in North Carolina; The Fuller School for Exceptional Children. I was a member of the Jaycees and have been extremely involved with the Salvation Army in Cumberland County, in which I received the ‘OTHER’ award. I was Vice Commander of the American Legion, Chef de Train of the 40-8. I have also served on the Board of the North Carolina Old Age Home in Winston Salem.

• Beth Israel Congregation: Building Chairman, Treasurer
• Beth Israel Burial Society: officer
• B'nai B'rith Lodge: member
• Co-founder, The Fuller School for Exceptional Children
• Jaycees: member
• Salvation Army, Cumberland County: ‘OTHER’ award
• American Legion: Vice Commander
• The 40&8: Chef de Train
• Board, N.C. Old Age Home, Winston-Salem

I give charity from my heart, no strings attached and G-d has always seen fit to give it back to me in some mysterious way. — John Green, on what he credited for his success

With Gratitude

He closed his speech by thanking the people around him: Ursula first, then his partner, his sons, and the employees who stayed with the company for decades.

Advice to Those Who Come After

As advice to others who will come after me, don't ever turn a job down and always be the best at what you can do. I truly believe if all of us lived life more by the Ten Commandments, we would all have a better world to live in. — John Green

Thank you all and G-d Bless You.

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Remembered in Fayetteville

His own speech is modest about his public life. A History of Beth Israel Congregation and the Jewish Community in Cumberland County fills in more of the story. The book quotes a profile of John by local radio reporter Johnny Joyce, along with recollections from Ursula's sister.

That profile says John was born in Coblenz in 1920. It credits him as “the founder of the Fuller School for Exceptional Children, which was the first school of its type to be opened in North Carolina to assist handicapped black children.” It also notes that he received one of the Salvation Army's highest honors “because he had done so much so many times for the service.” The congregation's list of community honors records this as the Others Award, in 1984. He was vice commander of the American Legion and served many other community organizations (Beth Israel history).

At Beth Israel he served for decades as a trustee, treasurer, chairman of the building committee, and vice president. Board minutes from the 1950s thank “Harold Cohen & John Green of Cohen & Green” for donating the steel used to build the rabbi's home. In his later years, diabetes cost him both legs. The profile says he “learned to walk with artificial legs and still remained active” (Beth Israel history).

Ursula Green came here with John and proceeded to be a part of the leadership of the synagogue. — A History of Beth Israel Congregation

Ursula was also a German Jewish refugee. Her sister, Lotte Wertheim, recalled that after Kristallnacht the two girls “were lucky to get a ‘Kinder Transport’ to England.” When their mother was interned on the Isle of Man as an enemy alien, Ursula went with her. Lotte and their mother later moved to Fayetteville to be near Ursula. In Fayetteville, Ursula led women in Sisterhood and Hadassah, volunteered at the hospital, and baked for every occasion. Before each High Holy Days she polished the silver on the Torah decorations (Beth Israel history).

John Green died on May 1, 1984, at age 63, one week before his 64th birthday. He is buried in Fayetteville's Cross Creek Cemetery #4. The cemetery records list him with Ursula (1925–1999) and their son Jeffrey Allen Green (1948–1960) (Cross Creek Cemetery #4 records). His speech mentions “our 37 years together,” so he likely wrote it in the last months of his life.

Also mentioned in Down Home: Jewish Life in North Carolina, which says John and Ursula “became community and congregational pillars.” Some details in these accounts differ from his speech. They say relatives brought him to Greensboro, while the speech says he landed in New York and went to Mount Airy.

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The Legacy Continues