“Today millions of men and women, in over a dozen countries across the world, will gather to celebrateVictory Day, marking the capitulation of Nazi Germany to the Soviet Union in the Second World War. This victory was achieved with the help of the Allied Forces, which of course included the United States. Like many of you, my feelings about today’s celebrations are deeply personal. My grandmother, Sophia, was killed by Nazis in the Minsk ghetto during the war. My grandfather, Ayzik, died on this day in 1945 as the result of injuries he received fighting Nazis on the battlefield. They never got to celebrate Victory Day.

While we celebrate today with our family and friends, I ask that we all take a moment to think about those who lost their lives during the war. Without their sacrifices, we wouldn’t be enjoying the freedoms we have today. We must be vigilant and ensure these atrocities never occur anywhere, ever again.”

Ari Kagan is a candidate for City Council in the 48th district in southern Brooklyn. The 48th CD encompasses the neighborhoods of Midwood, Sheepshead Bay, Homecrest, Manhattan Beach, Brighton Beach, Luna Park, Brightwater and Trump Village. He is an elected Democratic District leader in the 45th Assembly District, which overlaps significantly with the 48th CD. Ari is a longtime community activist, journalist and has served as a community liaison for a United States Congressman and a New York City Comptroller. He currently serves as Vice President of the Holocaust Memorial Committee in Brooklyn.

(YWN Desk – NYC)