Photo By Sgt. Maj. Jason Stadel | Capt. Christee Cuttino, 703rd Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd...... read more read more
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By Sgt. Jason Stadel
2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Public Affairs Office
FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU, Iraq – On the night of Nov. 8, 1938, Nazis unleashed a 48-hour period of anti-Semitic violence that forever altered the lives of German Jews.
Nearly 70 years have passed since Nazi storm troopers and Hitler youth burned synagogues and vandalized business during Kristallnacht, known as the "Night of the Broken Glass."
Soldiers stationed at Forward Operating Base Kalsu took time away from their daily missions for the "Days of Remembrance" May 4, to recognize Kristallnacht and the ensuing Holocaust, paying their respect during Jewish American Heritage Month.
Capt. Christee Cuttino, guest speaker for the event, said they have a connection today to the Holocaust: the American soldier.
"The Holocaust deprived ... people of their basic right to live," said Cuttino of 703rd Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division. "Not just to be alive but to live their lives. In some way, isn't that really why we're here now? So Iraqi citizens can be free to live their lives and build their futures without fear, so our families back home can do the same?"
During Kristallnacht, more than 100 Jews were murdered: seven million Jews and other targeted minorities were murdered between 1938 and 1945.
Seven candles were lit at the ceremony to pay tribute to lives lost in the Holocaust.
Cuttino said the candles were lit to remember history. She said the adage of those who don't remember the past are often doomed to repeat it applies to those serving in Iraq.
"If that wasn't true, then we wouldn't be here," Cuttino said. "And by here, I mean the very soil we walk on day-in and day-out. The very reason we serve is to protect people from becoming victims of another holocaust."
| Date Taken: | 05.08.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 05.08.2008 17:34 |
| Story ID: | 19241 |
| Location: | ISKANDARIYAH, IQ |
| Web Views: | 132 |
| Downloads: | 119 |
This work, Kalsu holds Holocaust remembrance, by SGM Jason Stadel, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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