Photo By Petty Officer 3rd Class Madailein Abbott | 170424-N-WJ640-006 SINGAPORE (Apr. 24, 2017) Lt. Adam Klein, Strategic Sealift Officer...... read more read more
Subscribe
Navy Region Singapore joined the nation in reflecting on all whose lives were lost or forever altered by the Holocaust during the annual commemoration of the Holocaust, Days of Remembrance, observed this year from April 23 – 30.
With a national theme, “Learning from the Holocaust: The Strength of the Human Spirit,” region service members discussed the importance of learning from history and the value of those lessons towards shaping the future.
U.S. Navy Lt. Adam Klein, Strategic Sealift Officer Coordinator attached to Military Sealift Command, Far East, began the event by reciting the Mourner's Kaddish, a traditional hymn honoring those who have passed, and transitioning to a discussion on the attendees' knowledge of the Holocaust and what could still be learned from the past.
“I think any kind of chance you get to give people information they might not know is something to take advantage of,” said Klein. “There’s not a large Jewish population out here in Singapore so it might not be something people get exposed to, and it might not be as big of a topic as it would be in maybe America or Europe, but I think there are many things that we’ve learned from what happened that can still be applied today.”
The Holocaust was the state-sponsored systematic annihilation of European Jews by Nazi Germany and its collaborators. Between 1933 and 1945, more than six million Jews were murdered. Additionally, Poles, Soviet prisoners of war, Roma (Gypsies), Jehovah's Witnesses, Catholics, political dissidents, the physically and mentally disabled, and homosexuals suffered grievous persecution under Nazi tyranny. The Days of Remembrance serve as an opportunity for our nation to reflect on the loss of these victims, as well as a reminder of the moral obligation of each individual to remain vigilant against hatred, persecution, and tyranny.
“I feel this kind of event helps to educate people,” said Klein. “It can be a topic that’s a little taboo to talk about because it has such a negative tone; people want to focus on the positive. I think what we focus on today, our theme of learning from history and focusing on the good that has come from individual human strength is a reminder to everyone that good can come from bad and that’s something to be celebrated.”
The event was open to all Navy Region Singapore community members and was held in two sessions. U.S. Navy Lt. Alexandra Deguzman, attached to Commander Logistics Group Western Pacific, described the event as enlightening and educational.
“Lt. Klein did an outstanding job in discussing April's Holocaust, Days of Remembrance theme this year,” said Deguzman. “This remembrance reminded us of the sacrifices made by the victims of the Holocaust, the survivors and the people who sacrificed their own lives in saving others.”
Every year, Holocaust, Days of Remembrance events are observed by state and local governments, military bases, workplaces, schools, churches, synagogues, and civic centers. All commands are encouraged to commemorate through participation in related military and community events, programs and exhibits. By allowing Sailors an opportunity to learn from their diversity, the Navy continues to harvest and represent the strength of our Nation's diversity, provide a culture which promotes the treatment of people with dignity and respect, and allows its people to lead and feel empowered to reach their full potential.
| Date Taken: | 04.26.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 04.26.2017 01:55 |
| Story ID: | 231567 |
| Location: | SINGAPORE, SINGAPORE STRAIT |
| Web Views: | 85 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Singapore Military Community Learns from the Past during Holocaust Days of Remembrance, by PO3 Madailein Abbott, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
LEAVE A COMMENT