Yokota gathers for Holocaust Days of Remembrance

Airmen and family members listen to keynote remarks from U.S. Air National Guard Lt. Col. Joseph Friedman, 374th Airlift Wing chaplain, during the Days of Remembrance candle-lighting ceremony at Yokota Air Base, Japan, May 6, 2024. The U.S. Congress established the Days of Remembrance as the nation’s annual commemoration of the Holocaust, during which communities honor the six million Jews who were murdered during World War II. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Samantha White)

Yokota gathers for Holocaust Days of Remembrance

U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Hope Satoh-Valdez, 753th Special Operations Aircraft Maintenance Squadron assistant aircraft maintenance unit officer in charge, and her son light a candle during the Days of Remembrance candle-lighting ceremony at Yokota Air Base, Japan, May 6, 2024. Candle lighting is a traditional component of Jewish remembrance. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Samantha White)

Yokota gathers for Holocaust Days of Remembrance

U.S. Air National Guard Lt. Col Joseph Friedman, 374th Airlift Wing chaplain, delivers keynote remarks during the Days of Remembrance candle-lighting ceremony at Yokota Air Base, Japan, May 6, 2024. The U.S. Congress established the Days of Remembrance as the nation’s annual commemoration of the Holocaust, during which communities honor the six million Jews who were murdered during World War II. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Samantha White)

Yokota gathers for Holocaust Days of Remembrance

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Alison Riley, 374th Comptroller Squadron financial technician, lights a candle during the Days of Remembrance candle-lighting ceremony at Yokota Air Base, Japan, May 6, 2024. Candle lighting is a traditional component of Jewish remembrance. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Samantha White)

Yokota gathers for Holocaust Days of Remembrance

U.S. Air Force Col. Brett Cochran, 374th Airlift Wing deputy commander, delivers opening remarks during the Days of Remembrance candle-lighting ceremony at Yokota Air Base, Japan, May 6, 2024. The U.S. Congress established the Days of Remembrance as the nation’s annual commemoration of the Holocaust, during which communities honor the six million Jews who were murdered during World War II. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Samantha White)

Yokota gathers for Holocaust Days of Remembrance

Six lit candles are displayed in memory of the six million victims of the Holocaust during the Days of Remembrance candle-lighting ceremony at Yokota Air Base, Japan, May 6, 2024. Candle lighting is a traditional component of Jewish remembrance. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Samantha White)

Yokota gathers for Holocaust Days of Remembrance

Published May 8, 2024
By Airman 1st Class Samantha White
374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan --

Airmen and family members gathered for a candle-lighting ceremony at Yokota Air Base, Japan, May 6, in honor of the victims and liberators of the Holocaust.

The U.S. Congress established the Days of Remembrance as the nation’s annual commemoration of the Holocaust, during which communities honor the six million Jews who were murdered.

The ceremony included opening remarks from Col. Brett Cochran, 374th Airlift Wing deputy commander, keynote remarks from Lt. Col. Joseph Friedman, 374th AW chaplain and a candle-lighting, where six members of Yokota’s Jewish community lit candles in memory of the six million victims of the Holocaust.