We Must Never Forget – January 27th, 1945

For the past few years, my research focus has been on Resilience, specifically the ability to develop and/or enhance resilience in nursing students and new graduates. In the process, I sought to understand the concept through the eyes of those who are truly resilient. I call these individuals the “faces of resilience”. One group that has deeply affected me is the Holocaust survivors. I have had the honor and privilege of meeting some of these incredible individuals and have enjoyed learning from them the importance of some very basic, but critical, attributes of resilience: faith, hope, and perseverance. Today marks the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. Most of the survivors are in their 90’s, so it is believed this will be the last event where many will gather in honor and remembrance. I am deeply saddened to think our future generations will never have the chance to know these amazing men and women and hear their firsthand accounts of survival during one of the most horrific episodes of history. We must resolve to continue telling their story, not just for the sake of history, but to remember the dangers of evil and the beauty of resilience. My thoughts and prayers are with those survivors today! I am forever grateful for the lessons I have learned from you! For more information on the Holocaust and today’s events, please visit The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum website. Survivors Visit Auschwitz