Retired social studies teacher Brad Wilkening of Ankeny stopped by the Hampton Public Library Wednesday evening to share his program called “Lessons of the Holocaust.”
During his presentation, he shared details from the harrowing camps, literature of the time and stories of loss and love.
He also spoke about the rise of Nazi power — Hitler becoming chancellor in 1933, followed by the Reichstag fire, President Hindenburg’s death, the creation of the Nuremberg Laws, the Night of Broken Glass and the invasion of Poland.
Wilkening, who’s interviewed a number of Holocaust survivors over the years, said many shared the same message: remember the Holocaust, but erase hate.
He ended his presentation with these words of wisdom: “When you leave this library, perform random acts of kindness … and maybe you can help tip the scales and make the world a better place.”
Wilkening said he gives around 150 presentations every year — something he’s been doing for the last decade.
Read more in next week’s edition of the Chronicle.
