Days of remembrance: choosing to act, stories of rescue
CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- "The world is a dangerous place to live - not because of people who are evil but because of the people who don't do anything about it." - Albert Einstein
Holocaust Remembrance Day has been set aside for remembering victims of the Holocaust and for reminding Americans what can happen when bigotry, hatred and indifference reign.
The Holocaust affected more than people of Jewish decent. During the era of the Holocaust, German authorities also targeted other groups because of their perceived "racial inferiority": Roma (Gypsies), the disabled, and some of the Slavic people (Poles, Russians and others). Other groups were persecuted on political, ideological and behavioral grounds, among them communists, socialists, Jehovah's Witnesses and homosexuals.
The United States Holocaust Memorial Council, created by act of Congress in 1980, was mandated to lead the nation in civic commemorations and to encourage appropriate remembrance observances throughout the country. Observances and remembrance activities can occur during the week of remembrance that runs from the Sunday before through the Sunday after the actual date. This year, Holocaust Remembrance Day is April 19. The theme is "Choosing to Act: Stories of Rescue."
While there are obvious religious aspects, it is not a religious observance. The internationally-recognized date comes from the Hebrew calendar and corresponds to the 27th day of Nisan. That is the day which Israel commemorates the victims of the Holocaust. In Hebrew, Holocaust Remembrance Day is called Yom Hashoah.
They came first for the communists and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Communist. Then they came for the Jews and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew. They came for the Catholics and I didn't speak up because I was a Protestant. Then they came for me and by that time no one was left to speak up. - Poem by pastor Martin Niemoeller, a Nazi victim
There will be a display of books at the base library April 16-20. There will also be an educational event with food at the Base Chapel on April 19 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. for Holocaust Remembrance Day. Come and show support; for information, call Master Sgt. Johnson at 784-6364.