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Never again: Holocaust observance at Cannon

  • Published
  • By Desiree Ann Montenegro
  • 27th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs
CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  Air Commandos and base leadership quietly entered a room filled with a sea of candles spread across tables in observance of a Holocaust Remembrance Day ceremony at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., April 13.

Seated shoulder to shoulder, Airmen read the picture laden cards set before them, each telling the story of one of the many men and women who perished or survived an unthinkable scar on the history of humanity.

"This day of remembrance is an annual commemoration of the Holocaust throughout our nation, observed by state and local governments, military bases, workplaces, schools, churches, synagogues and civic centers," said Master Sgt. Shanda Moon, 27th Special Operations Wing executive services superintendent.

Ceremonies are held across the world in the month of April to honor survivors and remember those who perished in the horrific man-made catastrophe.

"Our ceremony included videos from the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, guest speaker, Dr. Valerie McKito from Eastern New Mexico University and a candle-lighting ceremony to pay tribute to those affected by the Holocaust," said Moon.

The Holocaust claimed the lives of six million persons of Jewish decent. An additional two million people were killed based on their sexual, racial, physical and cognitive orientations because they did not align with the Nazi conception of the Aryan race.

In the video clips they discussed Kristallnacht the "Night of Broken Glass" in 1938 and that it marked the start of the persecution of the Jews in Germany.

"You realize now what a big deal that was and how many people it effected and then you realize there was a limited response to this until 1945", said McKito. Knowing what our country is today, how we've lead the way in civil rights across the world, it horrifies you to realize that we weren't always that way, out there fighting for everybody", she said.

Those in attendance were witness to the terror evident on the faces of victims as they recounted their experiences in the video clips shown. The visuals further exemplified why it is important for everyone to remember events such as the Holocaust in order to prevent a similar stain on the track-record of humanity from occurring again.

"These events are important to honor and remember those who suffered and to draw lessons from our past," said Moon. "We are able to show compassion and appreciate the lives we have before us and the diversity of those around us."

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