Community Holocaust Commemoration

Last night was very special as hundreds from our community remembered the Holocaust, the millions who died, those who survived, and the families of all.  It was very moving.  The commemoration started at the Holocaust Memorial with reflections and a presentation of an Anne Frank plaque; then all walked to Emmanuel Baptist Church while the bells on St. Francis Xavier Cathedral rang.

It was a special gathering as we remembered during this "Yom HaShoah" service (see bulletin).  There was a focus on "The Central Louisiana Connection" and the significant role that Alexandria and so much of Louisiana played as General George S. Patton and other generals trained almost 500,000 troops here before going to war in Europe, resulting in the liberation of the survivors of the Holocaust.

General Patton's grandson, George Patton Waters, was the guest speaker; his talk was moving and so interesting.  He invited us after the ceremony to touch the boots that Gen. Patton wore during the war.  There was a St. Christopher medal embedded in the heal.  After holding the boots, I introduced myself to Mr. Waters and shared that my friend, Milford Crumplar who now lives in Lake Charles, served under Gen. Patton, and that Milford was celebrating his 92nd birthday today, 4/29.  Mr. Waters wrote a nice note on his bio and gave it and a beautiful bronze medallion with a picture of Gen. Patton for me to give to Milford.  What a special gift.

(select image to enlarge)