Holocaust remembered in stories of rescuers

The heading of this article starts with, "Wednesday is Holocaust Remembrance Day when people around the world commemorate the millions who were victims during the Nazi period." The Holocaust was a time of great turmoil. In this article, heroes of this time period are celebrated for the risks they took upon themselves to protect others. This year marks the sixty-fifth anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp. Yad Vashem is a living memorial of those non-Jewish rescuers that come from over 45 countries, there are more than 22,000 people recognized. A Swiss police commander by the name of Paul Gruninger helped more than 3,000 Austrian Jews escape via the St Gallen frontier patrol. He was convicted of fraud and received a prison sentence along with a hefty fine. With his loss of position in society he and his family lived the remainder of their days in poverty. His daughter who is 88 years old said that her father never felt sadness, "He knew he had a clear conscious and a good heart." Another celebrated person was a man by the name of Eduard Benedek Brunschweiler who was a businessman. He saved thousands of people and at least 30 Jewish children, by taking charge of the Benedictine Abbey in central Hungary and placing it under Red Cross protection. Finally, the last hero recognized in this article was Carl Lutz the Swiss Vic-Consul. He established "safe houses" in Budapest by declaring them annexes of the Swiss Legislation. The most famous building that was annexed was called the Glass House. This building housed more than 3,000 Jews. In 2005 this building was opened and used in the honouring of Mr. Lutz by being turned into a museum.
I chose this article because the Holocaust has always fascinated me. The thought of such cruelty is mind blowing and seemingly inconceivable. But, most amazing to me in the honour and bravery that arose out of such a devistating situation. In comparison to American society this article speaks of things that have yet to occur. As for this type of disrtruction occuring in American society, I hope this never will. Nor do I want this to happen in any country or society ever again.
This article (written by Andrew Littlejohn) can be found at: http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/news/feature/Holocaust_remembered_in_stories_of_rescuers_html?cid=8175146