Generals Eisenhower, Patton, and Bradley view corpses of inmates at Ohrdruf, a subcamp of Buchenwald. Germany, April 12, 1945.
In observance of Holocaust Remembrance Day:
Survivors and other eyewitnesses understood and believed what happened to the Jews in Hitler's Germany. But would the world?
General Dwight D. Eisenhower grasped this potential problem and, after visiting a subcamp of Buchenwald he told his staff: "I want every American unit not actually in the front lines to see this place. We are told the American soldier does not know what he is fighting for. Now, at least he will know what he is fighting against."
Eisenhower understood that the horror was so extreme that it might not be believed, and realizing that a failure to believe would be a danger for the future of mankind, he ordered soldiers to visit the camps, and encouraged journalists and members of Congress and the British Parliament to bear witness as well. He wanted others to be, as he was, "in a position to give first-hand evidence of these things if ever, in the future, there develops a tendency to charge these allegations merely to 'propaganda.'" And ultimately he was right.
Never forget, never let this happen again, to any people.
Today across our nation and the world in colleges and universities, the percentage of anti-Semites have increased dramatically.
We talked about this on today's show. Also, hear Ted Pearce's song, "The Forgotten People."
In case you missed it:
"The Holocaust - A Former Hitler Youth Speaks Out"
Listen here (See 4/12/10)
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