18th Wing recognizes time to remember Published April 3, 2013 By Tech. Sgt. Jocelyn L. Rich-Pendracki 18th Wing Public Affairs KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- April 8 marks 2013's Yom Hashoah, or Holocaust Remembrance Day, which kicks off the annual Days of Remembrance established by the U.S. Congress in 1982 to recognize those who perished in the Holocaust. The week of remembrance stretches from the Sunday before Holocaust Remembrance Day through the following Sunday, which is April 7-17 this year. The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum has named this year's remembrance theme "Never Again: Heading the Warning Signs." In line with the Congressional mandate, the museum is the lead on the nation's tribute of the Days of Remembrance. The U.S. is not the only place where the Days of Remembrance are being observed. Here, 2nd Lt. Paulina Herrera, from the 18th Force Support Squadron, is leading a committee of dedicated Airmen and civilians to organize a series of events commemorating this week of reflection. The events also remind us, it is important to remember. "It is important to remember these events to honor the memory of those who died, but also to ensure that something like this never happens again," Herrera said. Although Kadena seems to be a half a world away from where the Holocaust took place, there are people here who have family members that were affected by the Holocaust. Scott Goldberg, faculty development liaison with University of Phoenix, has a very rich family history that stretches back to World War II Europe and beyond. "Most of my family was lucky and were able to escape before they became victims of the Holocaust, but of course not everyone was so lucky," Goldberg said. The Days of Remembrance are not about one group of people, they are about learning. "It isn't about singling out one kind of people to remember, the Nazis went after all of those who were deemed 'impure'," Goldberg said. "It is about not denying that these things happened, and making sure that we teach our children so that we can avoid anything like this happening in the future." The Days of Remembrance events are: Films: The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, April 8, 5:30 p.m. in the Schilling Community Center ballroom The Pianist (Rated R), April 11, from 11:30 a.m. in the Kadena United Services Organization Center Activities: Children's book reading, April 10 at 10 a.m. at the Kadena Library for ages 3 to 5 5K run, April 12, registration is at 5:40 a.m., start time is 6 a.m. at the Risner Fitness Center. Donations will be accepted for the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum. People interested in learning more or participating in the events can contact Herrera at paulina.herrera.2@us.af.mil.