Nesse Godin, a Lithuanian survivor of the Holocaust, will be the recipient of The American Legion National Commander's Public Relations Award during a luncheon at the Renaissance Hotel Wednesday. In a letter to Godin, National Commander Jimmie L. Foster wrote, "You were selected to receive this honor because of your outstanding work in ensuring that Americans never forget the Holocaust and the sacrifices made by so many during the darkest days of the 20th century.
Nesse Godin, a Lithuanian survivor of the Holocaust, will be the recipient of The American Legion National Commander's Public Relations Award during a luncheon at the Renaissance Hotel Wednesday.
In a letter to Godin, National Commander Jimmie L. Foster wrote, "You were selected to receive this honor because of your outstanding work in ensuring that Americans never forget the Holocaust and the sacrifices made by so many during the darkest days of the 20th century. Your outreach in print, broadcast and personal appearances continues to remind all of us - particularly young people - that freedom is a precious gift that must be guarded with vigilance and resolve. Additionally, you have inspired countless young people with your personal accounts during American Legion Boys Nation and American Legion Auxiliary Girls Nation."
A prisoner from ages 13 to 17, Godin survived life in a German-controlled ghetto, a concentration camp, four labor camps and a death march. Still, she attributes her survival to the grace of God and the kindness of Jewish women who provided her food. She lives in Maryland and volunteers at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum.Past recipients of the award include the late Meet the Press host Tim Russert, entertainer Ben Stein, former NBC anchor Tom Brokaw, former Secretary of Education William Bennett, former first lady "Lady Bird" Johnson and the GI Film Festival.
With a current membership of 2.4-million wartime veterans, The American Legion was founded in 1919 on the four pillars of a strong national security, veterans affairs, Americanism, and youth programs. Legionnaires work for the betterment of their communities through more than 14,000 posts across the nation.
-30-Media contact: Joe March, (317) 748-1926, John Raughter, (317) 441-8847 or Marty Callaghan,(202)263-5758, Cell (202)515-8644. A high resolution photo of Nat. Cmdr. Foster is available at www.legion.org.
- Press Release