JD Vance Visits Dachau Concentration Camp, Vows to Combat Atrocities
Vice President JD Vance embarked on a somber pilgrimage to the Dachau concentration camp in Germany on Thursday, ahead of the Munich Security Conference and a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Accompanied by his wife, Usha Vance, the Vice President toured the site that serves as a stark reminder of the horrors perpetrated by Nazi Germany during World War II.
"What happened here should never happen again," Vance solemnly declared to a gathering of dignitaries near the camp’s entrance. "I’ve read countless accounts in books, but to stand here and witness firsthand the unspeakable evil that transpired truly drives home the imperative of ensuring such atrocities never recur."
Joining the Vances on their tour was 96-year-old Abba Naor, a Holocaust survivor and former inmate of Dachau. Together, they laid a wreath at the International Monument, a bronze sculpture depicting human figures ensnared in barbed wire. A ribbon bearing the colors of the American flag adorned the wreath, a poignant symbol of the United States’ unwavering commitment to combating hatred and intolerance.
The group then paused at the "Never Again" wall, engraved with those powerful words in five different languages. An urn containing the ashes of an unknown prisoner rests in front of the wall, a somber reminder of the countless lives extinguished within the camp’s walls.
Dachau, established in 1933, held over 200,000 prisoners during its operation. Experts estimate that more than 40,000 perished within its confines. Vance’s visit follows in the footsteps of other high-ranking American officials, including President Joe Biden and former Vice President Mike Pence, who have toured the site to pay their respects and reaffirm their commitment to preventing such atrocities from recurring.
"I am deeply moved by this place," Vance remarked. "Its existence serves as a vital testament to the horrors that can be perpetrated when hatred and intolerance are allowed to flourish. We must remain vigilant, dedicated to preventing such tragedies from recurring and to honoring the memory of those who suffered here."
Vance’s European sojourn will also include his participation in the Munich Security Conference, beginning Friday. There, he will engage with world leaders, including President Zelenskyy, alongside Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Their discussions are expected to focus on President Donald Trump’s plans to end the three-year-long conflict in Ukraine.
The Vice President’s visit to Dachau underscores the unwavering resolve of the United States to combat atrocities, promote human rights, and ensure that the lessons of the past are never forgotten. As the world grapples with ongoing conflicts and human suffering, the specter of Dachau serves as a chilling reminder of the consequences of intolerance, hatred, and the failure to uphold the sanctity of human life. Through their visit, the Vances and other dignitaries pay tribute to the victims of Dachau and renew their pledge to create a world free from such horrors.
