Never Again!

There are so many unsung heroes out there. This week I learned about Arie Van  Mansum. Born in Holland, he emigrated to Canada after the war. During the war he helped hundreds of Jews escape the Nazis. He himself was arrested by the Gestapo and imprisoned. He didn't talk much about his experiences in the war until he realized that people either had forgotten about what happened or didn't believe in the Holocaust.

How did I learn about him? Through an award that is given educators who have significantly helped their students understand the history of the Holocaust and the dangers of hatred, discrimination and anti-semitism.

The 2025 recipient is my nephew. He's a local high school teacher who has always had an interest in history especially World War I and World War II. He had been to Vimy twice, once while in high school and once while in university.  This year he has also been selected to lead a group of students on a battlefield tour.

All his interest in history is not to say that he glorifies war but that he understands the sacrifice and the loss that is involved to maintain our freedoms. 

"The evil forces of racism can emerge in the world at anytime and it is possible for the individual to make a choice to resist them." 

Arie Van Mansum

Hopefully in these days where discrimination is all around us, each one of us can do a little to make this world a better place.

Never again should apply to all peoples!