Apathy

When the Nazis came for the communists,
I remained silent;
I was not a communist.

When they locked up the social democrats,
I remained silent;
I was not a social democrat.

When they came for the trade unionists,
I did not speak out;
I was not a trade unionist.

When they came for the Jews,
I remained silent;
I was not a Jew.

When they came for me,
there was no one left to speak out.

Pastor Martin Niemöller (1892–1984) Germany, in regard to the apathy of the Germany people during the rise to power of the Nazis. I hope in Millinocket we don't have to change these sentiments to "those who wrote for the newspaper," "the others who had opinions," and "anyone who spoke out."

Photo taken of marker at the Boston Holocaust Memorial while home visiting friends and family.