American Dream Comes True

“The American Dream Comes True” was written to introduce Manfred Brecker’s father to his siblings. It is a story that takes into account a history of their family, which spans almost one hundred years. It is a story of how an ordinary man achieved the highest awards a soldier can attain in the Kaiser’s army during World War I.

Max Brecker was decorated with two Iron Crosses. These awards were earned on the battlefield. The story portrays his experiences during the war and into the post-World War I years in Germany, living through the transition from a monarchy to a republic into a dictatorship and finally the hardship of surviving during the Hitler years.

Even though having amassed a great fortune and a national reputation, conditions enforced by the Nazis made living in Germany for a Jew very dangerous. Leaving Germany was the only option. Leaving behind his wealth and power, the patriarch of the family has to start life anew. This story shows us his courage and great wisdom, which has assured that there would be siblings on this earth today.