In remembrance of the Holocaust, more than 20 Marines and sailors visited to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C., on April 11.

The museum’s primary mission, according to the their website, www.ushmm.org, is to advance and disseminate knowledge about this World War II tragedy; to preserve the memory of those who suffered; and to encourage visitors to reflect upon the moral and spiritual questions raised by the events of the Holocaust as well as their own responsibilities as citizens of a democracy.

“It being within the week of the Days of Remembrance, I wanted the Marines to experience something different, something surreal and a sense of reality,” said Master Sgt. Anthony Forbes, Equal Opportunity Advisor, Marine Corps Combat Development Command.

The Holocaust was the state-sponsored, systematic persecution and annihilation of European Jewry by Nazi Germany and its collaborators between 1933 and 1945. Six million people were murdered, but, while Jews were the primary victims, gypsies, people with mental and physical disabilities, and Polish citizens were also targeted for extermination for racial, ethnic or political reasons. Millions more, including homosexuals, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Soviet prisoners of war and political dissidents also suffered grievous oppression and death under Nazi Germany.

Of the Marines and sailors who went on the trip, many had never been to the museum before and had no idea what to expect. Before they entered the museum there were smiles and giggles all around. Yet, as soon as they entered the main exhibition, the laughter was silenced and smiles were nowhere to be seen. And as they went through the self-guided tour, the realness and meaning of the word Holocaust slowly, but surely, made an imprint in their minds.

“The exhibits really grab your attention,” said Lance Cpl. David Marking, data network specialist. “You can actually see, smell and touch history. I mean it can get pretty depressing and even heartbreaking at times. But I will definitely come back as soon as I can and will remind anyone, no matter if they know about the Holocaust or not, to visit as well.”

As the Marines and sailors went from the top floor of the museum and descended to the next, the feeling that they had stepped into a time machine or alternate reality didn’t diminish.  Just as the power of Hitler rose in 1933, the Marines and sailors understandingly of the scope and devastation inflicted on innocent citizens grew.

“The biggest thing that I want the Marines and sailors to get out of this trip is that they never forget,” Forbes said. “It’s not about being sobering or depressing. It’s a great history lesson and we should be mindful of it and take every step necessary to prevent it from happening again.”