A couple of weeks ago, Mildred Schindler Janzen stood before several dozen guests and talked about her experiences growing up in Germany during World War II at an author’s event at Kansas Originals Market & Gallery, north of Wilson.

Mrs. Janzen is the author of, “Evading Hitler, Escaping Stalin,” which tells the story of her journey to America and Central Kansas from war-torn Europe.

Her audience was memorized. After she answered their questions, many sought her out to ask more — and to tell Mrs. Janzen how much they enjoyed her presentation. The dozen books Robson’s Cards and Gifts generously loaned to Kansas Originals to sell during the event vanished in a few moments.

This was not the first time we heard Mrs. Janzen speak. Nor was it the first time the same description came to mind as we listened to her words and watched the reaction of those around us.

Simply put, Mrs. Janzen, 92, is an inspiration. This woman who has endured experiences most of us will only read about survived to show others the value of kindness, courage and faith.

She appeals to the best in us and that is far too uncommon these days.

Ellsworth County had another example of this Saturday when the remains of Navy seaman Walter Belt Jr. were returned to Ellsworth for burial 80 years after his death at Pearl Harbor.

Like so many of his generation, Belt enlisted because he wanted to serve his country in a time of need. No doubt his family at home also sacrificed because it was what people did when their country called.

Would our reaction have been the same today as it was 80 years ago when Walter Belt Jr. died on the USS Oklahoma trying to help save the world from Hitler?

Or when Mildred Schindler Janzen, at 16, was captured by the Russians and separated for a time from her family under the worst of conditions.

Based on the reaction to the coronavirus pandemic, the answer to that question is doubtful. But the fact so many people have been moved by the stories of Mrs. Janzen and Fireman Belt serves as a reminder that hope can be our companion, even in the darkest of times.