Looking back. Looking ahead. 2020-2025

132   SPEECHES | SURVIVORS AND LIBERATORS Survivors and Liberators Bud Gahs (born 1924) served in the 42nd “Rainbow” Division of the U.S. Army. He was one of the soldiers who liberated the Dachau concentration camp on 29 April 1945. Now 101 years old, he continues to be a regular guest   of honour at commemorations marking the liberation. ©Dachau Memorial Good morning, It is a great honor to be here today on this anniversary of   the liberation of Dachau concentration camp. I would like to acknowledge the attending survivors and   honored guests who are among us this morning. I thank them for being here. 80 years ago, I was a 20-year-old soldier who approached those gates. I was part of the American liberation forces consisting of the 20th Armored Division, the 45th Infantry Division and the 42nd Rainbow Division in which I served. I am here now to speak on their behalf. In the months leading up to 29 April 1945, we continually risked our lives in countless engagements and found how combat changed our perspective. However, when we opened the gates of Dachau, it was only then that we truly understood what we had been fighting for. What we saw that day broke our hearts and re-ignited a sense of purpose. As soldiers, we were trained in combat, but no amount of training could possibly prepare us for what we saw behind those gates. We are here now not just to honor the memories of those who were lost here, but to also celebrate the courage and strength of those who survived. The brave souls who endured unspeak- able pain and suffering are the true heroes.We learned from them the power of hope, the strength of the human spirit and the importance of NEVER FORGETTING. Therefore, it is of vital importance that this memorial remain open so that the story can be told to future generations.We must NEVER FORGET what happened here so that we never go down this dark path again. It is no coincidence that the motto for the Rainbow Division is NEVER FORGET. Bud Gahs 80th anniversary  of the liberation of Dachau  4 May 2025 In closing, I am truly grateful to God to be here and I thank all of you for keeping the memory of what happened here alive. May God bless you all.