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When I was asked by Sam to write an article of virtue my first inclination was to refuse since I'm not that good a writer and didn't want to lower the very high standards set by all those that participated in this forum before me. But I remembered the article written by Pierre Louma and a thought came to mind. I was very touched by his article that described the travails of a young black child in Nazi Germany.
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It was a remarkable story and I realized that the generation that went through that terrible period in the history of mankind is slowly dying and soon there won't be survivors to tell the tale of that horrendous period.
History has been rewritten many a time in order to suit the theories, beliefs, philosophies and agendas of the so called "historians" Even as I'm writing these lines there are those that deny the holocaust. In many countries throughout Europe denying the Holocaust is against the law and one of the major offenders was imprisoned after being sued in a few countries because of his books and speeches on this subject. In many European countries he is “persona non grata” and is not allowed to enter those countries. Yet, though the proof is there in black and white for all to see, read and comprehend, there are still those that deny the holocaust and have followers all over the world.
Over Nine Million (9.000.000) people were murdered. Six million Jews and three million people that opposed the government of the time, gypsies, mentally impaired, communists and the list goes on and on. Many could have been saved but the world was not willing to accept the proof that was brought before them. And yet the world was shocked to see the results of all the concentration camps (extermination camps) and the documented evidence shown to the world during the Nuremburg Trials. Many were brought to trial though the large majority was not. Many were helped to escape by organizations that few would believe aided and abetted these murderers and criminals to escape justice. Many remained in Germany and became leaders. Many escaped to foreign countries (mainly South America) and the majority lived their lives in anonymity to their dying day. Some are still alive today
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The Holocaust was the most despicable period in the history of mankind. Millions were murdered. Those that survived lost their families, properties, possessions and started life anew mostly in other countries. |
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Many of them told their stories and many chose not to tell their personal stories. But the period has been documented and the causes and effects have all been documented for all to see. The world supposedly learned its lesson but to my sorrow it has not. All you have to do is watch what is happening in Africa. Genocide over and over again and the world stands by and allows it to happen. One tribe's domination over another and the story starts yet again. Closer to home in Europe you have the attempt of genocide of one ethnic group over another and how long did it take the world to intervene?? And more trials in The Hague and more convicted murderers that are still considered heroes by many.
There is a moral to be learned and unfortunately the world has not learned its lesson yet. We can decide NOT TO FORGET and learn from history. The signs are there before us to see. When a new atrocity occurs not to stand by and say “thank God it's not happening here but over there”. We can decide not to only give lip service to our horror but to do something about it. It is all up to us the citizens of the world.
In Israel there is an organization called Yad Vashem where there is an unbelievable Memorial to all those murdered in the Holocaust. Most visiting dignitaries that visit Israel are taken on a tour of the memorial and pay their respects to all the Millions that were murdered. They've taken it upon themselves to insure that the future generations will not forget. They have an archive of original documents about the holocaust but in addition they took thousands upon thousands of hours of recordings from survivors that simply told their personal story. Anyone can go and listen to the tapes and our children should do just that. As I said earlier there are fewer living survivors every year that can tell their story and the burning desire not to burry the Holocaust’s history, gave birth to the idea of some living survivors taping their individual stories.
What's my part in all this? Not much. I am the son of a survivor and was born 10 days after my mother was released from concentration camp. She and a friend were "devious" enough to hide their pregnancies and survive the camps. My mother told me all that happened to her and I've added to my knowledge by reading as much as was available about this period. I also have 12 hours of recordings that she made for Yad Vashem and I decided that I will NOT FORGET.
WILL YOU?
Thank You!
Peter Fogel.
This article was first published in the "Articles of Virtue" Forum hosted by Sam Sunday.
http://community.adlandpro.com/forums/thread/965557.aspx