Friday May 17 2013, the UMass Chamber choir had an unscheduled stop on our tour. Before heading to our first concert destination, we visited the Nazi Dachau concentration camp. Opened at the beginning of World War II, Dachau was the first Nazi concentration camp to imprison thousands of innocent souls during the the Nazi government years. At the entrance to the camp, the choir passed through this gate, as did every prisoner interned here. The gate reads “Arbeit macht frei,” (Work makes you free). This gate leads into the parade area where prisoners lined up every day to do role call.

We first watched a video explaining historical information and showing the atrocities committed there. Afterwards, we were left to wander the eerily picturesque grounds and visit the museum for a while longer. It was difficult to understand the scale of what happened at Dachau and the many other camps. Visiting today certainly brought me and perhaps others closer to an understanding. As we left the camp, only managing to spare an hour, the unassuming nature that surrounded the compound provided us with humbling reflections.

Lest we forget.