The journalist was much too young to know the story of Halvorsen, but he described his shock at seeing Halvorsen almost mobbed by normally staid and proper German men and women in their 70s and 80s (he said it was like being in the entourage of a rock star) as they approached Halvorsen with tears in their eyes -- some even showing him the handkerchiefs that had held the candy they had received, and expressing such honor and gratitude to him. I wish I could do the story justice.
Thanks anyway, Deacon....just the short version is good. They appreciated what he did for them, and they remembered.