Holocaust Remembrance Day

It is a wonderful thing, that the world has determined a need to designate particular days to remember the Holocaust. In the United States, we can look at our calendars and see in April, a special day designated for Holocaust Remembrance Day. You may hear about it being celebrated for several days as well. Regardless of when one recognizes it, what is most important is that we remember at all.

We live in a time in which we can observe different people and groups responding differently to the Holocaust. The truth is, we really aren't that far removed in time from when it all happened, if you think about it. In fact, we can think of parents and grandparents that were alive when it all happened. All the more, it is just amazing that some might suggest it never happened, or that others try to rewrite history to distort the truths surrounding this matter.

I am sharing this information and gallery of photos in order that we might all remember and never forget. It is the least we can do, and I firmly believe it is also our responsibility. Not just for those that lived in the generation of World War 2, but for all generations thereafter as well. It may even be more critical in the later generations.

We need to pledge to ourselves to do all that is within our power to never let another Holocaust to happen. Evil can and will continue to creep up in humanity as we have observed over the centuries. It does so in the most unlikely of ways, as well. Let us all vow to never let it creep up, unchecked. Let us all never allow us to only stand up for those we love or ourselves. Evil is still evil, even if it is not directed at you. All humans share this common burden and responsibility.

What was Lost

Unimaginable loss occurred during the Holocaust. Six million people lost their lives, and not because of anything they did, but because of who they were. There was massive loss of liberty, justice, life, as well as generations of culture and families. Sadly, we observed a loss of conscience, a loss of empathy for others in humanity by some. Perhaps it was a loss for some of dealing with the reality of what was going on. Regardless, it was a great loss. That particular time in history, was one of the most painful chapters in the history of all the world. It is imperative we never forget to learn from these examples in history. We are doomed to repeat such things, or feel tempted to not stand up with the time might come. Six million souls were murdered. Never again can this happen.

What Can be Celebrated

We can learn from humanity's past mistakes, and we have to. Unimaginable bravery in the face of great evil was what it took to take it down. Hope and strong faith and perseverance shone through in those that fought hard and prayed hard to bring an end to these atrocities. These are the kinds of things that defeat a great evil when not much else can. We see continued enduring strength as well, in the Jewish people since then. They have flourished in Israel, the United States and around the whole world.

Observing that tyranny can be squelched is another thing to celebrate. Strength from many, came together and was mobilized to defeat Hitler. Out of such incredible darkness, can come the hope of never letting it happen again. The hope of stopping things before they ever get a foot off the ground.

We can celebrate critical thinking about what is going on today in our world, and in every facet of our societies. We cannot be part of societies that are the equivalent to a "frog being slowly boiled in a pot," not ever noticing the ever increasing danger to people and society.

Finally, we can celebrate the human spirit. From the Holocaust survivors, to those that prayed for them all, to those that fought for their liberation. What truly wonderful things to be celebrated.

As for the images here. I specifically chose what I did, not to forget the more awful images we can likely conjure up in our minds from movies and photos, but to celebrate the good winning over the evil. It is all a very sad story, but can never let that be a reason to put it out of our minds. Many of the images are in thumbnail form, and you can click on them to see them a bit larger. Or, there is a slideshow option that you can click through the images.

I hope you will join me in always trying to remember what happened before, during and after the Holocaust, so that we can make sure that nothing remotely like it ever happens again.

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