BMH gift brings Holocaust statue-walkway remembrance in Hernando a step closer
By Henry Bailey, The Commercial Appeal, Memphis, Tenn. | |
McClatchy-Tribune Information Services |
The Unknown Child Holocaust grass-roots project to erect a park and place a statue there in
"It's gone a lot further than I ever expected,"
There, at a benefit breakfast sponsored by SouthGroup insurance brokerage, he joined hundreds in applauding
Alex was in the seventh grade in 2009 when gifted-class teacher
They would be a symbol and memorial to the estimated 1.5 million children lost in Nazi
"Before the
Jewish children, the infirm and elderly were not wanted for the labor camps. For them, death awaited.
"She cut my hair and she put lipstick on me to make me look older," said Kelman, now of the
Kelman said many of her family members did not survive, including her sister's infant: "They smashed the baby against a wall."
Kelman makes school visits to tell of and educate on the Holocaust, and she hopes the "amazing" future park in
Said teacher Powell, "We were discussing topics and I found out my students didn't know what the Holocaust was. They were saddened and wanted to know more about
This became the
"I think it's absolutely phenomenal," Hadassah's Berlin said of the park that's nearing reality.
The
"It's really great to see this happening in our neck of the woods."
Symbols on the walkway to the statue -- a life-size image of a child facing the ovens of Auschwitz -- will remind visitors that this tragedy happened, and warn that vigilance and tolerance must keep such events from happening again.
"Rail crossings" will represent the journey to the camps and, for survivors, the path back toward hope, promise and new lives.
Sculptor
The penny, he said, "represents something of value," but as were the young victims of the Nazis, "not enough to bend over and pick up.
"The idea of pennies representing the number of children lost is genius," he said.
For additional information about the Unknown Child or to donate, go online to the foundation's website at unknownchild.com.
___
(c)2014 The Commercial Appeal (Memphis, Tenn.)
Visit The Commercial Appeal (Memphis, Tenn.) at www.commercialappeal.com
Distributed by MCT Information Services
Wordcount: | 737 |
Pension experts are scheduled to give new report to City Council Tuesday
West Newton mayor backs dog park
Advisor News
Annuity News
Health/Employee Benefits News
Life Insurance News