Governor Perdue Speaks at Holocaust Remembrance Ceremony

Governor Perdue Speaks at Holocaust Remembrance Ceremony

Rescuers of Baby Noor Receive Humanitarian Award

ATLANTA – Today Governor Sonny Perdue and the Georgia Commission on the Holocaust celebrated the “Days of Remembrance” State Holocaust Observance. The ceremony paid tribute to the victims and survivors of the Holocaust, and it honored those who keep the memories and legacy of the Holocaust alive through words and action.

“Today, we honor the survivors of the Holocaust and we again thank the soldiers who liberated the concentration camps 60 years ago,” said Governor Sonny Perdue. “Apathy and forgetfulness are our worst enemies. This annual ceremony allows Georgians to join together in keeping alive the memory of those who perished.”

Governor Perdue presented the commission’s Humanitarian Award to eight soldiers of the Charlie Company First Battalion 121st Infantry of the 48th Brigade Combat Team based out of Gainesville, Georgia who were responsible for rescuing Baby Noor in Iraq.

“These soldiers of Georgia’s 48th Brigade helped give new life to three-month-old Baby Noor, an Iraqi newborn with a severe spinal cord defect that was untreatable in Iraq. Despite difficult conditions in a dangerous environment, these soldiers recognized the opportunity to save a young life,” said Governor Perdue. “Their actions were heroic and their intentions noble. I am truly grateful for our citizen soldiers.”

The eight soldiers honored today with the commission’s Humanitarian Award were:

• Captain Anthony Fournier
• First Lieutenant Billy Chau
• First Lieutenant Jeffery Moran
• First Lieutenant Charles Morgan
• First Sergeant Bobby Mayfield
• Sergeant First Class Michael Sonen
• Staff Sergeant Archer Ford
• Sergeant Nicholas Jelks

The Commission also presented awards to the sixteen middle and high school student winners of the annual Holocaust Art and Writing Contest, in addition to honoring their teachers. Three teachers were recognized as “Distinguished Educators of the Year” for their outstanding excellence and commitment to teaching the Holocaust, character education and diversity issues.

The names of those who perished during the Holocaust were read aloud by survivors and members of B’nai B’rith prior to the ceremony. Holocaust survivors, their children and concentration camp liberators also lit candles in memory of those who were murdered by the Nazis. Music was provided by the United States Army Ground Forces Band of Fort McPherson.

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