The Embassy of the Czech Republic in Washington DC hosted the Victimss of Communism Memorial Foundation’s Truman-Reagan Fredom Awards Reception on December 1st. The event received noteworthy coverage from the Washington Times.
JBANC Managing Director Karl Altau introduced award recipient, Congressman John Shimkus, prefacing the honour with a few words about memory.
Altau asked as follows:
“Why are we here today? Remembrance is key. Remembering. Not revenge or vengeance, but justice, acknowledgement, and understanding. History demands
that we remember.
“In Estonia, where my parents were born, today, December 1, marks the 80th year of the day when on December 1, 1924 a communist coup failed in that country. It was successfully put down, allowing Estonia 15 more short years of freedom before World War II. The coup attempt was supported and manufactured by the communist leadership in Moscow, and Soviet troops were poised on the border.
“The citizens of Estonia awoke the next day, still free. My father was born in a free Estonia a month later.
“The Baltic-American community, which I represent, is also thankful that Congressman Shimkus is around. He has not forgotten.
“Thanks to him we have someone who:
* ¨Leads the House Baltic Caucus, now with almost 80 members
* Interacts with our communities here and the three Baltic countries.
* Understands the history of the Baltics and other countries too, where nations long suffered under foreign communist oppression.
We also thank Congressman Shimkus for sponsoring legislation in the U.S. Congress, H.Res. 752, which supports the construction in Washington, D.C. of the memorial to the victims of communism. Thank you Congressman Shimkus.”
The other Truman-Reagan Freedom Award recipient was retired Army Maj. Gen. John K. Singlaub, whose contributions were noted as having fought the Nazis, led troops in Korea, and aided the Contras in Nicaragua.
Christina Ianzito of The Washington Times covered the award ceremony. Excerpts from her December 3rd article:
“The battle against Islamic terrorist organizations may be the planet's most pressing problem, but the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation remains steadfast in its determination to keep the spotlight on another form of pernicious totalitarianism, as well.”
“At the foundation's sixth annual Truman-Reagan Freedom Awards Reception... Lee Edwards, the group's chairman, reminded guests that the evils of communism have hardly faded from the world scene.
"You've still got North Korea. You've still got Fidel hanging on down there [in Cuba], and the big one – China," Mr. Edwards told about 100 supporters before moving on to the good news: that a site near the Capitol
has been approved to commemorate the 100 million victims of communism in the 20th century.”
Ianzito wrote that the Foundation is working towards not only a monument but also a "global virtual museum" that would provide an Internet link with like-minded museums in such places as Prague, Berlin and Budapest.
For more information please visit
http://www.victimsofcommunism.org/(EL, ref. JBANC, WT)
