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The next photo is the PROMPT. Remember, all photos are property of the photographer, donated for use in Friday Fictioneers only. They shouldn’t be used for any other purpose without express permission. It is proper etiquette to give the contributor credit.
PHOTO PROMPT © Brenda Cox
Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count:100
LIKE A BAND-AID HELPS A CORPSE
The little wooden boat floated along the Galilee. JoAnna breathed in the fresh air.
Tears trickled down her cheek. She hugged her granddaughter, Rachel. “We’re the lucky ones. I took a boat ride on the St. Louis, from Germany with my family to seek freedom.”
“You found it in England and then here in Israel. Doesn’t that make you happy?”
“Cuba, America and Canada—all turned away—allowing only a handful of us refuge. The rest, including my parents, went back to face the Beast.”
“The US State Department offered an official apology.”
“After seventy-three years? Too little too late.”
Holocaust Remembrance Day was April 14 this year. But any time of year is a good time to remember.
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
It is too late for many, but those who survive must preserve. Human nature is a fickle beast and those in power are oblivious to peace when their mob emotions take over.
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Sad but true, James. Thank you for reading and commenting.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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How little has changed. We are still turning away little boats
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It does seem that way, doesn’t it, Neil. 😦 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Ouch. Very poignant.
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Thank you, Mr. B.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Too late, indeed! I was in the later years of High School when I learned the truth of how our country turned their backs back then. I think that was the first time that I ever felt truly ashamed of my land. Sigh… And yet, in this age, it is repeating, so it seems…
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Dear Bear,
It’s a heartbreaking part of our history for sure. Thank you for reading and commenting.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I’ve read the excuses, but… yeah, just excuses – I don’t know how many would have been saved if other countries were more open, but ever life is a life. You are right, never a bad time to remember, no matter the date on the calendar.
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Dear Trent,
I grew up under the shadow of “Never forget what ‘they’ did to ‘us.'” And I never will. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Do apologies mean anything when it’s from generations later? I don’t know. Words are hollow. I believe actions speak louder than words. I like to believe humans are better now, but I think different excuses are made.
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Dear Tannille,
I think about how many African Americans were given medals posthumously and shake my head. If only…At least it’s something for their descendants. Better late than never? I wonder. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I think recognition like medals posthumously is needed. Helps society move forward by showing symbolically we aren’t our ancestors and don’t agree with the sins of the past.
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The same mistakes are being made today to others. The apology seems meaningless when attitudes haven’t changed.
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Dear Iain,
I’m afraid that’s so. We don’t seem to learn fom history do we?
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I’m not convinced the world has learned to do better. As you say, any day is a good day to remember
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Dear Jen,
I wonder what it will take for humans to learn. Sigh. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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One of the more shameful moments in American history, as well as in the other nations who, in ignorance or just not caring, turned away the Jewish refugees. Anti-Semitism, sadly, is not dead.
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Dear Linda,
Sad and scary. Antisemitism is definitely on the rise…in this county. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Difficult (i.e. impossible) to reconcile the turning away with an apology years later. Truly haunting, like so many dark chapters of North American history.
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Dear Lisa,
It’s sad that the US government felt the need to apologize. If they’d done the right thing in the first place…Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, it seems to be standard practice. Too little too late. You’re welcome.
Shalom,
Lisa
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Memorable story. It is good to remember otherwise we repeat the past. Well done.
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Dear Athling,
It’s is a sad chapter. And I’m not sure anyone really remembers. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Apologies don’t change the past, but they may help to heal a suppurating wound.
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Dear Liz,
True story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A sad day in history. Thanks for the education.
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Always happy to educate, m’luv.
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This hurt my heart.
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Mine, too, Dawn. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A truly shameful time in history and an apology way too late. Your story is very moving as always. Like Dawn, ‘it hurt my heart.’
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Dear Brenda,
Apologies half a century later and medals awarded posthumously say a lot…and not in a positive light. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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i remember john lennon’s imagine song. it speaks of the world living as one. if don’t believe it will happen in our lifetime.
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Nor do I, Plaridel. Thank you,
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Your title is spot on Rochelle. My small town is about to house 1400 ‘illegal’ immigrants in a disused army camp. The reaction from locals is varied, to say the least.
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Dear Keith,
Do our governments and citizens stop to wonder why so many people are fleeing their countries??? Thank you. My title is one of my all time favorite Yiddish expressions. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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It’s heart-breaking – but we don’t seem to learn, we are still doing it, thanks for sharing Rochelle❤️
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Dear Angela,
We don’t seem to learn, do we? Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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“Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”*
*Some restrictions apply.
I understand that every country can’t just open its borders to everyone, but there are times when you have to let people in, give all the comfort and aid you can, and sort things out later. The Holocaust was definitely one of those times, but look how long it took us to get involved in the war. Even then, it wasn’t beneficence that dragged us in. The sooner we realize that we’re all sharing this planet, the better.
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Dear Nobbin,
There’s not much I can add. Brilliant comments. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Powerful story, Rochelle. It’s horrifying to think about still, that episode in history where people had escaped but couldn’t find a country to take them. Just shows what prejudice and fear can lead to. I hope you’re doing well these days.
-David
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Dear David,
I appreciate the fact that you have been in a position to know how much the same people are as opposed to different. That made sense, right?
Thank you for reading and commenting. I am doing very well and hope you are, too.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Sadly it seems nations never learn the important messages.
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Dear Michele,
All too true. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Too late
Gut wrenching line.
And still happening
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True, Laurie. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Absolutely! Too little, too late. Sorry doesn’t make things better. When will decision-makers look beyond their nose? SMH.
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Dear Brit,
When will we learn? SMH indeed. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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