U.S. Postal Inspection Service: Ethics, Integrity, Professionalism

One of America’s most iconic structures is the James A. Farley Post Office Building, formally known as the General Post Office Building, located at Eighth Avenue between 31st and 33rd Streets in New York City.

Although this magnificent architectural masterpiece is conveniently located across from Penn Station and Madison Garden, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, perhaps it is best known for prominently bearing the inspirational inscription carved above its Corinthian colonnade that reads as follows:

“Neither son nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.”

Protecting Couriers, Employees, Infrastructure, Customers

Behind the scenes of this landmark facility representing America’s postal service, is the federal law enforcement and security arm of the U.S. Postal Service.

The mission of this agency is “to support the U.S. Postal Service and its employees, infrastructure, and customers; enforce the laws that defend the nation’s mail system form illegal or dangerous use; and ensure public trust in the mail.”

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is one of America’s oldest federal law enforcement agencies, founded by Benjamin Franklin. It is critical to defending the American public from criminals who seek to violate our laws by attacking the postal system.

As detailed on the U.S. Postal Inspection Service website, the goal of this agency is to “ensure confidence in the U.S. Mail and to assure that American business can safely dispatch funds, securities, and information through the U.S. Mail, that postal customers can entrust their correspondence to the mail, and that postal employees can work in a safe environment.”

The responsibilities of this agency includes mail fraud, revenue protection, asset forfeiture, mail theft, identity theft, violent crime, facility security, child exploitation, detection and prevention of dangerous mail, global security and investigations, and homeland security.

Leadership Training and Development Empowerment

On Thursday, May 16, 2016, I was privileged to conduct a leadership training and development program for over 40 members of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s New York Division.

The program titled “America’s Postal Inspection Service: Ethics, Integrity Professionalism” was made possible through the leadership of Philip R. Barlett, inspector-in-charge of the New York Division.

Attendees included detectives, inspectors, administrators, and uniformed officers and took place at the Morgan General Mail Facility, another New York City landmark located just across the street from the James A. Farley Post Office Building.

The building is one of America’s largest mail processing facilities with over 1,000 employees on site. It was built in 1933 to connect the High Line Rail Road, now High Line Park, to support over 8,000 mail trains crossing the country.

The Morgan General Mail Facility handles up to 12 million pieces of mail each day.

America’s Head-On Collision

During this presentation, I used my signature metaphor of a head-on train collision causing catastrophic chaos, painting the picture of America’s crisis of leadership and culture of violence.

As highlighted in a graphic presentation, the crisis of leadership included the following:

• Massive and pervasive arrests, indictments, convictions, and imprisonments of public officials on the federal, state, county, city, and local levels including recent cases of New York State Assembly Sheldon Silver

• Continuous corporate fraud cases including Enron, WorldCom, Purdue Pharma L.P., Schering Plough, the narcissistic arrogance of Lehman Brothers’ Richard Fuld, and the long tentacles of Bernard Madoff’s $50 billion swindle that wreaked havoc on so many lives

• Scandals within the world of sports including Major League Baseball, the National Football League, indictments of high-ranking officials and corporate executives associated with FIFA, and the fall from grace of Olympic champions

• Crimes in religious communities, including the sexual abuse of children in the Roman Catholic Church compounded by disgraceful cover-ups from bishops who failed to protect society from contemptuous crimes that screamed to heaven for justice

• The entertainment world’s crisis of stars involved with substance abuse, domestic violence, and shootings
The crisis of violence was depicted in events including the following:

• Sexual assaults of teenagers by their peers with reprehensible postings of the attacks posted on-line that led to heart-breaking suicides of numerous victims

• Horrific incidents of school and campus violence including Columbine, Virginia Tech, Newtown, and Yale University where a murdered student’s missing body was found on what would have been her wedding day

• Senseless workplace violence massacres that include the killing of 14 at a Binghamton, New York Immigration Office, the killing of 12 people during a Batman movie in Colorado, and the Navy Yard mass shooting that left 13 dead

• On-going violence at houses of worship, once considered sanctuary, that include people shot dead during worship services and the killing of pastors and priests

• Senseless acts of terrorism including the Boston Marathon attack, 9/11, and the lone wolf attack of NYPD officers
Following my assessment of America’s crisis of character and culture of violence, I shared practical points with attendees, on the importance of ethics, integrity, and professionalism, as well as principles of crisis management, security, and violence prevention.

Following my assessment of America's crisis of character and culture of violence, I shared practical points with attendees, on the importance of ethics, integrity, and professionalism, as well as principles of crisis management, security, and violence prevention.

Final Reflections

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is vital to securing couriers, employees, facilities, customers, and America’s infrastructure.

It is vital that this federal law enforcement agency receive the encouragement, funding, training, and appreciation they deserve as they are essential to protecting our way of life, democracy, and, liberty.

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Vincent is author of 180 articles including his weekly column titled “Reawakening the Nation” for the Epoch Times; 35 countries, 21 languages, and growing.

Photos

1. The iconic James A. Farley Post Office Building, formally known as the General Post Office Building, located at Eighth Avenue between 31st and 33rd Streets in New York City. (Vincent J. Bove)

2. The first few words of the U.S. Postal Service’s official slogan are displayed above the General Post office building in New York City on Oct. 26, 2001. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)

3. The Morgan General Mail Facility, one of America’s largest mail processing facilities with over 1,000 employees on site. (Vincent J. Bove)

4. Members of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s New York Division including detectives, inspectors, administrators, and uniformed officers listen to Vincent J. Bove on May 16, 2016. (Vincent J. Bove)

Memorial Day: Honor the Fallen, Widows, Orphans

As America honors Memorial Day, we must have burning within our souls the most profound appreciation for all who have offered the ultimate sacrifice to preserve our freedom, liberty, and way of life.

The nation must prayerfully pause during this sacred Memorial solemnity and remember the sacrifices of the fallen, as well as of their widows and orphans.

Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address: Iconic Memorial Dignity

For America to truly understand the dignity of Memorial Day, it is imperative to reflect on Abraham Lincoln’s profound respect for those who died for the nation.

The eloquent words of the Gettysburg address, a speech delivered by Lincoln at the Nov. 19, 1863 dedication of Soldiers Cemetery, can ignite a fire of devotion in the soul.

Lincoln succinctly honored, with less than 300 words, Union soldiers killed at the Battle of Gettysburg during the Civil War. His speech has been immortalized throughout the world as one of history’s most eloquent orations.

Lincoln not only honored the dead, but reminded listeners then and throughout the ages, that the soldier's sacrifice was sacrosanct and served America’s most noble values of liberty, equality, unity, freedom, democracy, and spirituality as exemplified in this excerpt:

“It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us, that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion; that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain; that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom; and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the Earth."

Lincolns Second Inaugural Address: Binding the Wounds

Complementing Lincoln’s devotion to those who consecrated the ground at Gettysburg with their sacrifices, Lincoln’s Second Inaugural on March 4, 1865, gave a comprehensive perspective on the ultimate sacrifice.

Once again, the master of brevity with only 703 words in his speech, Lincoln spoke of the the Civil War in terms of compassion, character, and the monstrous injustice of slavery.

Lincoln did not demonize the South by giving the North a victory speech, nor did he excoriate the South of the inhumanity of slavery.

Instead, he called to task the entire nation as guilty, and pleaded for reconciliation, unity, empathy, and sensitivity which included this burning decree:

“With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation's wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan, to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations.”

Honoring a Hero, Widow, and Child

In October, 2013, I came across a published work with a photo of an angelic little three-year-old boy named Michael Wyatt that put a sword through my heart. I immediately clipped the photo from the magazine and placed it in a prominent place in my home, to remind me of the gravity of his father’s sacrifice, and so that I can always remember to pray for this little boy and his mother.

Michael was born in 2010, but the son of Corporal Derek Wyatt, a 25-five-year-old Marine killed in Afghanistan the day before Michael’s birth.

According to the U.S. Department of Defense, Wyatt, of Akron, Ohio, died Dec. 6, 2010 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, California.

His wife Kait, a Marine veteran, gave birth to the couples baby Michael, at Camp Pendleton in California, the evening after her husband was killed by a sniper while he was leading other Marines.

Final Reflections

America must eternally honor Memorial Day with profound gratitude to all who offered the ultimate sacrifice to preserve our way of life.

Our nation must also reflect on Lincoln’s devotion to all who have consecrated America by their sacrifice, and to forever honor, assist, and support their widows, and children.

More:

Memorial Day: Honoring America’s Sacred Sacrifices

America’s Veterans Deserve Honor, Homes, Health Care

American Holidays: Time to Honor Military Sacrifices

Life Lessons From the United States Military

America’s Veterans: Honoring Our Heroes

America’s Flag, Patriotism: Resuscitating Our Destiny

Photos

1.Kyatt Wyatt carries her 1-month-old son, Michael at the burial of her husband, Marine Cpl. Derek Wyatt, at Arlington National Cemetery, January 7, 2011. Wyatt was killed December 6, 2010 in Afghanistan. (Courtesy Arlington National Cemetery)

2. Michael Wyatt, son of Kate and Derek Wyatt. (Credit Esquire Magazine, October, 2013 edition)

Kait Wyattt, widow of U.S. Marine Derek Wyatt, clutches the American flag which was draped over her husbands casket during funeral services at Arlington National Cemetery. (Courtesy Arlington National Cemetery)

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Vincent is author of 180 articles including his weekly column titled “Reawakening the Nation” for the Epoch Times; 35 countries, 21 languages, and growing.

America’s Critical Ethical Issues Demand Resolution

Over the last 20 years, I have addressed issues critical to America in my training initiatives throughout the nation, as well as in extensive published works.

The published works include over 100 columns for my Epoch Times over the last two years.

These articles crystallize ethical issues in our society that demand resolution.

For the purpose of clarity and persevering with a clarion call to reawaken the ethical heartbeat of America, here is a sampling of quotes from these articles.

America’s Mission: Eradicating Discrimination, Prejudice, Racism

“Respect for human rights is the basis of moral legitimacy and the criteria of government’s rightful authority.

“This respect is also a reflection of character, not only of individuals, but of a nation. Respect always stands diametrically opposed to discrimination, prejudice, and racism. These vices are dehumanizing as they dishonor the moral heartbeat of humanity demanding respect for our neighbor.

“Every person deserves dignity and respect, as we are all members of the same human family.

“This respect must extend to all, including those who are different by sex, race, color, social conditions, language, ethnicity, age, country of origin, or religion.”

America’s President Must Have Character, Ethics, Leadership

America demands a president with unwavering character, ethical principles, and influential leadership.

These are presidential qualities critical for a 21st century American leader who must ignite patriotism, community, and character in America.

America’s president must inspire an ethical society that stands as a counterculture to violence, apathy, and corruption we have seen unleashed in our society. Our president must be the preeminent model of ethical leadership and inspire a reawakening of the golden rule, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

America’s Veterans Deserve Honor, Homes, Health Care

“Military service is the pre-eminent hallmark of honor, duty, and country and deserves America’s dignity, appreciation, and esteem.

“Hopefully, the solemn national holidays of Veterans and Memorial Day will be complemented by America’s renewed passion for honoring our veterans, especially those marginalized by poverty, homelessness, and health care deficiencies.

“But a travesty has infected our great land, for as we now walk American cities, the dignity of our flag is contradicted by the tragedy of dishonored homeless veterans, many with mental health needs. These patriots are further victimized by society’s indignation, contempt, and abandonment.

"America must respond to an inner moral call and rise by igniting an ethical renaissance. The principles of character, compassion, and altruism must be the heartbeat of America.”

America’s 21st Century Student: Character, Courage, Community

“Each American student deserves example, encouragement, and empowerment to cultivate virtues critical to society: character, courage, and community.

“Every educational community must be fully dedicated to character education. This philosophy is vital to reawakening the nation by giving hope, vision, and inspiration to our youth who must reignite America’s torch of character, courage, and community.”

Principles of American Policing

“Contemporary issues demand principles complementing tradition while respecting current realities.

“Therefore, I have developed Nine Principles of American Policing to enhance dialogue, communication, and trust between police and communities:

“1. Being pro-police and pro-community are inseparable, indefatigable, and pre-eminent. Police must at all times remain fully committed to protecting and serving the public through character, ethics, and leadership that is total and wholehearted. Police must be guided by a moral compass that honors the community, Constitution, and Bill of Rights.

“2. Respect must be the heart of the police and it must be unwavering for the profession, colleagues, and community. Respect can only be earned through integrity, accountability, and transparency. These qualities build trust, legitimacy, and collaboration.

“3. Police deserve that every level of government provide the resources necessary for proper police staffing, training, and community service.”

American Teachers: Inspire the Heart and Transform the Country

“In my opinion, there are essentially two basic forms of education in American schools. There is the repressive system that makes rules known, watches for transgressions, and is quick to discipline a student by inflicting condescending correction and punishment. The errant zero-tolerance policy in so many schools is an example of a repressive system—rigid, bureaucratic, and impersonal.

"The proper approach is the preventive system of education. In this system, educators are vigilant in a caring manner and offer patient guidance from the heart consistent with kindness, character, and reasonableness. The preventive system of education builds trust and connections with students and the community. The opposite of a zero-tolerance approach is a measured intervention approach that promotes reasonableness, dignity, and respect.

"Simply expressed, the repressive system is dictatorial and may temporarily stop a disorder, but will not inspire students. The preventive system speaks the language of the heart and is transformational."

America, Wake Up: Harden Your Soft Targets

“The violent rampages taking place throughout America, with probability that this scourge will not end anytime soon, must motivate the nation to enhance vigilance and harden targets.

“These are challenging times for police, private security, and citizens, but we must rise to the occasion to prevent all acts of violence with an unwavering dedication to collaboration.”

Honoring American Immigrants: Family, Neighbors, Heroes

“Immigrants represent the ideals, principles, and freedom of our country and are represented by our families, neighbors, and heroes.

“Today, there is a frenzy of emotion over immigrants and the role America must play with this issue that involves the security of our borders.

“Solving this issue is achievable and critical for reawakening the nation. But the fact remains that America is a great land because of the values, vision, and service of countless immigrants.

“Immigrants are our families, neighbors, and heroes and we must be forever honor their contributions to America.”

America’s Corrupt Culture Beckons Ethical Renaissance

“Inspiring an ethical renaissance in America is a daunting task but we must rise to the occasion. Our country has had seemingly insurmountable trials before and we have risen to the occasion.

“Corruption is a crisis that runs deep within the arteries of many public servants. Our first step toward renewal is to accept the crisis of character as a reality without denial.

“When we make an honest assessment of this crisis, we can commit ourselves to reawakening the nation through accountability in the criminal justice system, ethics initiatives throughout every level of society, and a world-class, second-to-none character education initiative for every American student.

“If we are serious about America, we will be fully dedicated to its ethical renaissance and find no excuses for changing the course of the nation.”

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Vincent is author of 180 articles including his weekly column titled “Reawakening the Nation” for the Epoch Times; 35 countries, 21 languages, and growing.


Photos

1. American flags, Rockefeller Center, NYC. (Vincent J. Bove)

2. Martin Luther King, Jr. leading march from Selma to Montgomery to protest lack of voting rights for African Americans. Beside King is John Lewis, Reverend Jesse Douglas, James Forman and Ralph Abernathy. (Photo by Steve Schapiro/Corbis via Getty Images)

3. Veteran Jose Gonzalez pauses at the Soldiers and Sailors Monument in New York City during the Memorial Day Observation on May 26, 2014. Gonzalez served in Vietnam 1968–1972. (Vincent J. Bove)

4. NYPD at Times Square on March 25, 2015. (Vincent J. Bove)

5. President Harry Truman awards the Congressional Medal of Honor to Macario García in 1945. (National Archives and Records Administration)

National Police Week: Honoring Ethical Guardians

As America pays special recognition to law enforcement officers who lost their lives in the line of duty, the nation must pause.

In 1962, President John F. Kennedy proclaimed May 15 as National Peace Officers Memorial Day, and the calendar week in which it falls as National Police Week.

These are challenging times for the law enforcement community due to the culture of violence throughout American society, as well as the controversies involving policing.

Yet, the fact remains that law enforcement is an honorable profession, and our ethical guardians serve America when honoring the badge and communities they protect.

Alarming Law Enforcement Fatalities

As of May 8, 2016, there is an alarming uptick in law enforcement fatalities according to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF).

Compared to the same time frame last year, there are already 17 firearms-related fatalities, a 70 percent increase.

These statistics are alarming but never paint the picture of broken hearts suffered by family members and law enforcement communities.

We must honor these heroes by taking a moment to reflect on some of the recent tragedies of law enforcement officers gone too soon.

Police Officer Steven M. Smith - He died two days after sustaining a gunshot wound on April 12. Officer Smith was a member of the Columbus, Ohio Division of Police. He was shot while serving an arrest warrant as part of a SWAT team.

Trooper Chad P. Dermyer – He was a member of the Virginia State Police who was shot and killed on March 31 while interviewing a suspect who produced a handgun and shot him.

Deputy Sheriff Carl A. Koontz – He was a member of the Hudson County, Ind. Sheriff’s Office. He was killed on March 21 while serving drug-related warrants.

Police Officer Allen Lee Jacobs – He was a member of the Greenville, S.C. Police Department. Officer Jacobs was shot and killed on March 18 while conducting a field interview. While approaching a self-identified gang member, the suspect fled the scene while opening fire on Officer Jacobs and his partner. Officer Jacob was hit several times.

Police Officer Ashley Guindon – She was shot and killed on February 27 while responding to a domestic dispute call. While the fatality of every ethical guardian wounds the heart of America, Officer Guindon’s death was uniquely heartbreaking. She was sworn in as a police officer only the day before, and it was her first shift as a Prince William County, Va. police officer.

Ethical Guardians: Earning Community Respect

While complementing the honoring of fallen offices during National Police Week, it is imperative to also appreciate the work of our police throughout the nation, particularly through daily acts of their service we easily take for granted, and community policing initiatives.

Although controversies deserve honest evaluations in order for policing to make these issues opportunities for renewal, and addressed in numerous other articles of mine, the purpose of this article is to honor the fallen and accentuate positive policing initiatives.

One positive community policing initiative took place on Saturday, May 7 as a collaboration of the Essex County N.J. Crime Prevention Officers Association and Essex County Chiefs of Police.

The event, held at the Livingston, New Jersey Mall was supported by numerous law enforcement agencies from throughout the state, as well as fire officials, first responders, and corporate professionals.

It was a statement of positive interaction with the community as hundreds of shoppers, including many children, took pictures with police officers.

Despite the law enforcement community being under scrutiny, this was an outstanding initiative building trust, respect, and rapport between the police and the people.

As a speaker during the opening ceremony, I encouraged the police in their roles as ethical guardians and commended them for keeping communities, families, and schools secure.

Final Reflections

America’s ethical guardians are vital to the security of our nation and all law-abiding citizens must honor their sacrifices and respect their efforts.

These are defining times for American policing and we will be successful with reawakening the nation when there is a committed unity of effort between law enforcement and our citizens.

More:

The Cop: America’s Ethical Guardian

Ethical Guardians: Repudiating the Ferguson Effect

Principles of American Policing

Police-Community Collaboration: America’s Public Safety Lifeline

Fallen Police Officers: Honoring American Sentinels

Policing Dangers Demand Community Collaboration

Note Well:

Linkedin: Vincent J. Bove Consulting, Speaker Services, Publishing

Join Vincent’s Linkedin Group: The Sentinel: Reawakening the Nation

Facebook: Vincent J. Bove Consulting, Speaker Services, Publishing

Vincent is author of 175 articles including his weekly column titled “Reawakening the Nation” for the Epoch Times; 35 countries, 21 languages, and growing.


Photos

1. Police Officer Steven M. Smith (Courtesy Columbus (OH) Division of Police)
2. Trooper Chad P. Dermyer (Courtesy Virginia State Police)
3. Police Officer Ashley Guindon ( Courtesy Prince William County (VA) Police Department)
4. Vincent J. Bove delivering opening remarks at the Essex County (NJ) Police & Public Safety Expo, Livingston, New Jersey on May 7, 2016. (Courtesy Vincent J. Bove Publishing)

Public Safety: Honoring Ethical Guardians

On Saturday, May 7, 2016, I was honored to share opening remarks at the Essex County Police & Public Safety Expo. The annual event is a collaboration of the Essex County Crime Prevention Officers Association and the Essex County Association of Police Chiefs and held at the Livingston Mall, New Jersey.

During my remarks I commended the police, fire officials, and first responders for their dedication to protect and serve.

As noted in my many published works, as well as speaking engagements, these men and women are called to be the ethical guardians of society. The security of American communities is the result of their vigilance, and their service must be honored and supported by all law-abiding citizens.

The numerous participating agencies involved with this community event are all worthy of commendation. In particular, the leadership of the Livingston Police Department, under the command of Chief Craig Handschuch, and their tireless dedication to positive community policing initiatives deserves special recognition.

Also, the meticulous service of the New Jersey Department of Corrections Honor Guard, under the leadership of Sgt. George Goldner, gave dignity to the occasion. Their presence and solemn honoring of America's flag was an inspiration to all.

It has been my privilege to speak at these events since 2009, as noted below, and I commend the leadership of Officer Gary Mankowitz of the Livingston Police Department for his dedication to community policing and organizing this event.

Livingston Police Department Police and Public Safety Expo, May 15, 2009 Blog

On Saturday, May 9, 2009 a Police and Public Safety Expo was held at the Livingston Mall in New Jersey as coordinated by the Livingston Police Department.

The venue was a collaboration of federal, state, regional, county and local law enforcement agencies. It represented an outstanding community policing initiative allowing residents to interact with law enforcement and public safety officials.

After a welcome by Livingston Police Chief Craig Handschuch, Essex County Prosecutor Paula Dow addressed the attendees reminding all of the privilege of serving and protecting the public. Prosecutor Dow also led a moment of silence to honor military in harms way, especially those who have been wounded or served with the ultimate sacrifice.

As an invited speaker, I shared remarks on the importance of a renewed dedication to courage, community and compassion in roles of public service.

Agencies involved with the expo included:

• Belleville Police Department
  
• New Jersey Department of Corrections
  
• Bloomfield Police Department
  
• Caldwell Police Department
  
• Cedar Grove Police Department
  
• East Orange Police Department
  
• Essex County Police Academy
  
• Essex County Prosecutor
  
• Essex County Sheriff’s Office
  
• Essex Fells Police Department
  
• Fairfield Police Department
  
• Federal Bureau of Investigation
  
• Glen Ridge Police Department
  
• Irvington Police Department
  
• Livingston Police Department
  
• Livingston Fire Department
  
• Maplewood Police Department
  
• Millburn Police Department
  
• Montclair Police Department
  
• Newark Police Department
  
• New Jersey State Police
  
• New Jersey Transit Police
  
• Orange Police Department
  
• Roseland Police Department
  
• South Orange Police Department
  
• Union County Prosecutor's Office
  
• U.S. Customs Service
  
• U.S. Marshalls Service
  
• Valor Security Services
  
• Verona Police Department
  
• West Caldwell Police Department
  
• West Orange Police Department

I would like to commend the Livingston Police Department for their leadership, participating agencies and sponsors for their generosity, and attendees for coming out to enjoy the event.

Photos 1. Vincent J. Bove with members of the New Jersey Department of Corrections Honor Guard. (Courtesy Vincent J. Bove Publishing)
2. Chief Craig Handschuch, Livingston Police Department. (Vincent J. Bove)

Holocaust Remembrance Day: Respect, Reflect, Resolve

On Thursday, May 5, 2016, the world must pause to commemorate Holocaust Remembrance Day.

It is a solemn day to remember the six million Jewish people murdered in the Holocaust.

In an atrocity unparalleled in evil and scope, six million Jews died at the hands of the Nazis during the Holocaust. Between 1940 and 1945, about 1.5 million men, women, and children died at the Auschwitz-Birkenau camp.

The Innocence of a Child

Anne Frank stands as the most memorable child of World War II and one of the most enduring children of all of history. Anne is a testimony to the dignity of the human being and that virtue endures despite the darkest possibility of inhumanity.

"The Diary of Anne Frank" charts the two years of this young Jewish girl from 1942-1944 when she hid with her family and another family from the Nazis.

The book has become one of the critical documents of the 20th century and profoundly inspires diversity, the power of the pen, and the triumph of good over evil.

Anne's book is one of the world's most read literary treasures, selling over 25 million copies and being translated into 67 different languages.

As a German-Jewish teenager, Anne was forced into hiding to escape execution from the Nazis during the Holocaust. After 25 months of hiding with her family, she was betrayed to the Nazis and deported to the Bergen-Bergen concentration camp. She died at 15 years old of typhus in March 1945 while in the concentration camp.

Despite the dark chaos of intolerance, hatred, and ignorance during her time, Anne Frank continued to believe in the goodness of humanity. On July 15, 1944, Anne wrote:

"It’s a wonder I haven’t abandoned all my ideals, they seem so absurd and impractical. Yet I cling to them because I still believe, in spite of everything, that people are truly good at heart. It’s utterly impossible for me to build my life on a foundation of chaos, suffering and death. I see the world being slowly transformed into a wilderness, I hear the approaching thunder that, one day, will destroy us too, I feel the suffering of millions. And yet, when I look up at the sky, I somehow feel that everything will change for the better, that this cruelty too shall end, that peace and tranquility will return once more."

Night by Elie Wiesel

Elie Wiesel, a survivor of Auschwitz, is the author of 36 works dealing with Judaism, the Holocaust and the moral responsibility of all people to fight hatred, racism, and genocide. In his book, Night, one of the most profound and renowned works of Holocaust literature, Wiesel records his lifelong personal anguish with the Holocaust:

"Never shall I forget that night, the first night in camp, which has turned my life into one long night, seven times cursed and seven times sealed. Never shall I forget that smoke. Never shall I forget the little faces of the children, whose bodies I saw turned into wreaths of smoke beneath a silent blue sky. Never shall I forget those flames which consumed my faith forever. Never shall I forget that nocturnal silence which deprived me, for all eternity, of the desire to live. Never shall I forget those moments which murdered my God and my soul and turned my dreams to dust. Never shall I forget these things, even if I am condemned to live as long as God Himself. Never."

Testimonial of a Holocaust Survivor

Reflecting on the Holocaust, I am reminded of an event I took part in on March 28, 2007. The Anti-Defamation League celebrated a Solidarity Seder with law enforcement, government, community, faith-based, corporate, and citizen guests in Trenton, New Jersey.

It was fittingly held at the Trenton War Memorial, a national historic site, built as a great community center dedicated to the memory of American soldiers and sailors who died fighting World War I.

Prior to the Seder, a representative of the Anti-Defamation League explained the resurgence of the Ku Klux Klan (KKK). Contradicting their hatred, he shared these treasured words of Emma Lazarus inscribed on the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty:

"Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door"

Testimonials were then shared, including one from a young man who spoke about the heartbreak of seeing his mother arrested as they attempted to enter America from Mexico. This young man went on to proudly become an American citizen and applied to become a member of the United States Army.

Another young man stated there are no complaints about immigration as American’s enjoy the fruits and vegetables harvested through the labor and sweat of immigrants working on farms.

The most moving testimonial was by Holocaust survivor Shelly Zeiger who spoke passionately about “the town’s fool.” This man, lovingly referred to as Anton by Zeiger, was ridiculed as a misfit by his townspeople in western Ukraine and considered a fool because of his obsessive respect for all life.

Although a Catholic, Anton risked his own life to hide Jewish neighbors in his home. Anton hid Shelly, his father and mother, and two girls from the Nazis in the Zbrow ghetto for 27 months beginning in 1942. Shelly said, “Anton was truly a hero who teaches us to respect each human being, for courage can be found in the most unlikely of persons.”

After the war, Shelly and his family came to America. Years later, he mustered enough courage to go back to his hometown in the Ukraine to find Anton. He found him and brought him to live with him and his family in America, a country whose appreciation for diversity is the heartbeat of the nation and the world.

Liberation Monument, Liberty State Park, Jersey City, NJ

Surrounded by the historic significance of Ellis Island, the Statue of Liberty and the New York skyline, is the Liberation Monument. Designed by Sculptor Natan Rapaport, this inspirational statue depicts a World War II American Soldier carrying a survivor from the Auschwitz concentration camp. The image moves the soul to reflect on the values of compassion, character, and community.

The legacy of America urges a rebirth of patriotism that will transform us once again into a nation destined to be a hope for the world through our commitment to moral leadership, persevering vigilance, and dedicated collaboration.

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Photo's
1. US Army medics help evacuate ill and starving survivors, Buchenwald, Germany, April 1, 1945. (US Holocaust Memorial Museum)

2. Diary of Anne Frank

3. The Liberation Monument (Bill Kimbark)