Sailors came together on the mess decks of the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) for a 2018 Holocaust Days of Remembrance ceremony, April 25.

During the ceremony, members of Bonhomme Richard's Heritage and Diversity Committee read a poem by holocaust survivor Alexander Kimel, and shared diary entries from Anthony Acevedo, an American World war II medic and concentration camp prisoner.

Lt. Seth Baron, Bonhomme Richard's medical administrative officer, was the guest speaker for the observance.

"We will be the last generation to hear these stories from the people who experienced them," said Baron. "It is now our job to continue their stories. It is now our responsibility to bear witness for future generations. The only way to honor the memory of the Holocaust is to turn remembrance into the promise of a better future."

Capt. Larry McCullen, Bonhomme Richard's commanding officer, spoke to Sailors about the moral bravery of the citizens that risked their lives for others during the Holocaust in spite of the atrocities all around them, and encouraged each person to demonstrate the same level of bravery when faced with challenges and pressures.

"You have to have the courage to do the right thing," said McCullen. "Be a blessing to the people around you, look out for those you meet and bring hope to the world."

The U.S. Congress established Days of Remembrance as the nation's annual commemoration of the Holocaust and created the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum as a permanent living memorial to the victims. This year's theme is: Learning from the Holocaust: Legacy of Perseverance.

Bonhomme Richard, which had been forward-deployed since 2012 as the Amphibious Force 7th Fleet flagship, is transiting to San Diego as part of a homeport change and where it is scheduled to undergo upgrades to operate the F-35B Lightning II.


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