JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. –
The Air Force has designated this year as "The Year of the Air Force Family." While many of us recognize members of our immediate family, including mothers, fathers and children, we also have an Air Force family of people who do not share our blood lines, yet hold a significant place in our lives. Members of our Air Force family are composed of various religions, races, ethnicities and genders, and hail from diverse walks of life.
April 11 through 18 is designated as the sacred commemoration of the Days of Remembrance, established by congress to honor the many victims and survivors of the Holocaust.
Our Air Force family is composed of members of Jewish decent, while those without direct Jewish decedents remember the Holocaust as a horrible example of what happens when a community and culture are robbed of their human right of freedom.
The 2010 Days of Remembrance theme is "Stories of Freedom: What you do matters." Celebrations are taking place across the nation to share stories of survival and freedom by the Jewish community.
Each day Air Force members put on their uniform to uphold and defend freedom for all Americans. "Stories of Freedom: What you do matters" epitomizes what Air Force members do to take care of their immediate, Air Force and American family. While this week is set aside to honor and embrace the history and accomplishments of those impacted by the Holocaust, understand that Stories of Freedom remains a constant motivator, enabling us to continue the fight for freedom.
I challenge you to find someone to share with you their recollection of the Holocaust; a war veteran, a person of Jewish decent or a member of your family. Additional information on the Holocaust and Days of Remembrance can be accessed via the Equal Opportunity office or via http://www.ushmm.org/remembrance/dor/. Recounting these stories of the Holocaust can help you understand what you do for your squadron, service and country matters because it protects the one right every human should have ... freedom.