Finally we took part in the March today in order to commemorate and remember the losses of the Holocaust; and just as importantly to show the world that we are still here. Just a short 3km walk from Auschwitz 1 to Birkenau with 12,000 other people, mostly Jews, was an incredible sight.

Many of the survivors completed the walk too which was amazing. Their determination, despite their age, to complete this act is a sure sign of revenge. To stand where the Nazis had tried to kill them just 70 years ago, but now freely walking out of the camp at the end of the day.

I am extremely glad that in our closing processing session that everyone seemed to get something out of the trip. They learnt something that will stick with them forever and will hopefully encourage their friends, family, and even strangers to go on a trip. It truly is valuable to visit and I encourage the reader, if they haven’t been yet, to try and make the journey. For those that have, remember your journey and how important it was.

We need to learn these lessons, and there is no better way to reinforce them by setting aside some time in your life to remember.

<< Day 5 – Auschwitz and Birkenau