AUSCHWITZ SURVIVOR SHARES STORY WITH LOCAL STUDENTS

A MAN WHO SURVIVED THE HORRORS OF A NAZI CONCENTRATION CAMP IN WORLD WAR TWO IS SHARING HIS STORY WITH SIOUX CITY STUDENTS THIS WEEK.

PHILIP GANS WAS 15 YEARS OLD WHEN HE WAS TAKEN FROM HIS NATIVE HOLLAND WITH HIS FAMILY TO THE AUSCHWITZ SLAVE LABOR CAMP BY GERMAN SOLDIERS IN AUGUST OF 1943.

HE SURVIVED INTERNMENT IN TWO CAMPS AND A "DEATH MARCH" UNTIL FREED BY AMERICAN SOLDIERS IN APRIL OF 1945. GANS SAYS HE HAS LIMITED BUT VIVID MEMORIES OF HIS ORDEAL.

GANS HAS SPOKEN TO OVER 20-THOUSAND AREA RESIDENTS ABOUT HIS ORDEAL SINCE 2005 AND BRINGS A MESSAGE OF "ERASE THE HATE"

GANS SAYS HE NEVER GAVE UP HOPE WHEN HE WAS IN THE NAZI DEATH CAMPS, AND TELLS STUDENTS TO BE ACTIVE, DON'T BE A BYSTANDER AND DON'T GIVE UP HOPE IF THEY FIND THEMSELVES IN A TRYING SITUATION.