Daily Sitka Sentinel

May 17, 2013 Letters to the Editor

Monsanto Movie Night

Dear Editor: Tonight is the second of our three Monsanto movie nights in preparation for Sitka’s March Against Monsanto.
    We will have the privilege of viewing the new documentary, ‘‘Molokai MOM – Standing Up To GMO,’’ the story of Hawaiian Mercy Ritte, the mother of two children. When a windstorm kicked up poisoned dust from a nearly Monsanto test field, Mercy’s baby boy became sick. Monsanto assured her she had nothing to worry about. This event inspired Mercy to join hundreds of other Hawaiians in the protest of Monsanto and the other biotechnology chemical giants occupying Hawaii.
    Following the movie, we will Skype with Hawaiian activist and author Imani Altemus-Williams, to learn more about what we can do to resist Monsanto’s spread around the world.
    Bring your friends and passion. Non-GMO snacks will be provided. See you at Centennial Hall at 7 p.m.
    Call Brett Wilcox for more information. 747-7437.
Brett Wilcox, Sitka


World Hunger Day
Dear Editor: Mother’s Day has just passed, and Father’s Day is approaching. These days honor parents and others who nurture children. However, in between those two special days is World Hunger Day on May 28.
    Globally 2.5 million kids a year die of hunger related causes; which is about 7,000 children each and every day! Hunger irreversibly stunts the growth and earning potential of one-fourth of all children. This is all preventable with simple, proven, nutrition programs. Economists agree that these programs are the most cost-effective way to end poverty, however, less than 1 percent of our foreign aid funds nutrition programs. Did you know every $1 invested in nutrition generates as much as $135 in better health and increased productivity? 
    The U.S. government has an opportunity to improve its leadership on food security and global health by making a bold commitment at the first-ever nutrition pledging conference on June 8 before the G8 Summit.
    To mark World Hunger Day, join us by asking President Obama to be bold on June 8 and pledge $450 million annually between 2014 and 2016 for global nutrition programs to save lives.
Sitka  RESULTS,
Michele Friedman, Randy Hughey,
Jody Smothers-Marcello,
Kathy Kyle, Elizabeth Mosher,
Toby Campbell, Carol Hughey,
Alaire Hughey, Libby Stortz

Holocaust Survivor
Dear Editor: In 2007, Auschwitz survivor Klaus Stern came to Sitka and spoke in the schools and to our community. His talks were aimed at helping younger generations of people understand the horrors of the Holocaust by telling his story of survival, and reminding us of the dangers of intolerance and indifference. Klaus died this May 12 at age 93 from complications from pneumonia.
    Born in 1921 in Breslau, Germany (now Wroclaw, Poland), Klaus grew up in Berlin. He and Paula were married in 1942 in the midst of Nazi deportations. Fearing for their future, the couple agreed that if they were separated, they would meet in Paula’s hometown, Ahrnstadt, after the war. They were both deported to Auschwitz nine months after their wedding and were separated for 25 months, never knowing if the other was alive. Klaus survived Auschwitz, Sachsenhausen, Flossenburg, Leonberg, Mühldorf, and the death marches. Liberated in May of 1945 by American troops, Klaus wrote a note to Paula and sent it with several soldiers heading in the direction of Paula’s hometown. After three months in an Allied hospital Klaus regained his strength and traveled for three weeks through war-ravaged Europe to joyfully reunite with Paula in her home town of Ahrnstadt. They immigrated to the United States the next year and became the first Holocaust survivor family to settle in Seattle. Klaus worked for Langendorf Bakeries in Seattle for 36 years, while Paula raised their two children, Marion and Marvin. They were married for 71 years.
    For many decades, Klaus was part of the speakers bureau of the Washington State Holocaust Education Resource Center that helped to make his trip to Sitka possible. Their staff accompanied Mr. Stern, helped to coordinate with schools and led a teacher training. Our community was appreciative of their work and grateful we made contact with this organization. Since Klaus visit, several of our school district teachers have received Holocaust education training and have worked to improve our students’ understanding of that time.
    Klaus’ death marks the end of an era of Holocaust survivors who can tell us first-hand about the painful and tragic chapter of human history when ‘‘the world went mad.’’ Klaus’ talks were a reminder of the dangers of intolerance and the importance of speaking up even when it’s difficult. As Klaus’ friend and fellow Holocaust survivor Eli Wiesel wrote: “There may be times when we are powerless to prevent injustice, but there must never be a time when we fail to protest it.”
    Tributes can be made to the Klaus Stern Holocaust Education Fund, the Washington State Holocaust Resource Education Center, 2031 Third Ave., Seattle, WA  98121.
    Lisa Busch, Sitka