It is a very unique memorial. It is only shoes. The plaque states that it is for the people shot and thrown into the river by the Arrowcross in 1944-1945. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arrow_Cross_Party They were pro nazi and supported the way and beliefs of the nazi's.
It is along of the banks of the river, and on our way there, I tried to prepare the mind of an 8yo. Tried to explain to her the thought of that time. The way people were. I also told her that they were wrong, that they hurt little children, elderly and everyone in between. I said we would not do that, we would help those in need. I held her close and told her I loved her and that I would always do everything in my power to protect her.
I knew she had a lot of questions spinning in her mind, and knew she would ask, if I just give her time. And of course, she did.. She asked if we would have lived during that time, would we have helped these people. I said I am not sure, but if it happened now, we would do all we could to protect those that needed protecting. I told her that some people were good and did help. That some people hid others in their attics, basements, etc. I really don't know what I would have done if I lived than, but I know what I would do now.
She was very moved by this memorial, and became very quiet (something that is very rare). She asked about the little baby shoes, I explained yes, they hurt children too. She did not like that, and hugged me even tighter. She than wandered off, and returned with a little flower that she placed inside the baby shoes. Here is the picture she asked me to take.She than went off and picked more flowers to place in some of the other shoes. She became sad when she realized that there were not enough flowers for all of them. I explained to her that it was OK, that they know we care.
She asked what happened to all these people, I told her they were in heaven making sure things like this never happen again.
