CVN 77 Holds Holocaust Remembrance

USS GEORGE H.W. BUSH, At Sea (NNS) -- USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) American Diversity Heritage Observance Committee (ADHOC) held a Holocaust remembrance presentation for the crew in the ship's forecastle, June 9th.

George H.W. Bush holds quarterly ADHOC presentations to inform the ship's crew about different cultures and historic events.

"We, as the ADHOC members, do research before any of the presentations and teach the crew about what we learn," said Chief Aviation Maintenance Administrationman Brandi Heath, ADHOC's chairman. "Our ultimate goal is to keep the ship educated about different cultures and events that happened in history that are important to remember."

Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Charles Ludwig started the remembrance with opening remarks about the importance of remembering the Holocaust, and Yeoman 2nd Class Timothy E. Leininger followed by signing the National Anthem.

"I think all Sailors should be aware of the Holocaust, because if anything this horrific were to happen now, we could be the first stepping stone to stopping it," said Ludwig.

Throughout the remembrance, Ship Serviceman 2nd Class Walter Lyons, Aviation Ordnanceman 3rd Class Kimberlee Smith, Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Dustin Hash and Lt. Lisseth C. Calvio gave presentations about Holocaust facts about concentration camps and historical figures such as Anne Frank and Dr. Viktor Frankl.

The ship's lead chaplain, Cmdr. Christopher Merris, spoke of his time in Germany and how it opened his eyes toward the fact that every person should be made aware of what happened during the Holocaust.

During the remembrance "Why we remember the Holocaust" and "Voices of Rescue from the Holocaust" were shown to the crew.

"I chose these videos because they are simple but show how horrific the holocaust truly was," said Ludwig.

Capt. Richard McCormack, the ship's Executive Officer, concluded the presentation by sharing the importance of remembering historic events such as the Holocaust and to never allow something like this again.

"Anytime I hear of something terrible happening throughout the world, I think of my first time at the Holocaust museum and wonder how something so terrible went on for so long," said McCormack. "We have to remember why we are out here training. We're here to protect the world from ever going through this again."

After the presentation, Sailors walked around the forecastle, which was filled with educational booths and books that highlighted important events that took place throughout the Holocaust.

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