30th Anniversary Guardians Commemorative Book - Book - Page 233
STANDING UP
FOR TRUTH
Abraham Lincoln
called this nation
the ‘last best hope of
earth,’ and I’m grateful
that our family was fortunate enough
to come to this country. My mother
came in 1927 with her mother and
brother. Her father had previously
come to avoid World War I and the
Russian Civil War. The remainder of
the family that could not leave did
not survive. The same is true on my
father’s side: Only my grandparents
and their three children, who came
to America in 1915, survived.
My father fought during World
War II, which he called a ‘good’ war,
because he knew exactly what he was
fighting for. He flew combat missions
in a B-24 squadron and was awarded
a bronze star, while his brother fought
with General Patton. Clearly, they did
their best to resist. That’s the thing
about Americans: When we know
the truth, we tend to stand up. The
United States Holocaust Memorial
Museum makes more Americans
aware of what really happened, so
they will do what is right.
The Museum presents the truth in
this profound, emotional way that
people can’t ignore. Every child or
young person who goes through it is
one more individual who may stand
up one day and say, ‘No.’ When young
people understand what’s happening,
they’re much more inclined to
do something—to support their
government to stop such slaughters,
to make changes in their community.
Many in my family perished, very
few survived, and a small number
fought back. And that is what
this legacy gift is about—paying
tribute to the commitment and
the courage these family members
displayed and making the world
aware of what happened. It is our
way to recognize and honor those
who came before us and can no
longer speak for themselves, and to
remember our two wonderful sons,
who did not survive us. Our support
helps ensure that their impact and
special gifts live on beyond us.”
SAFEGUARDING TRUTH FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS l 231
