JAPANESE AMERICAN LIBERATORS OF DACHAU CONCENTRATION CAMP, WWII VETERANS, HOLOCAUST SURVIVORS, MAYOR HAHN, AND COUNCILMEN VILLARAIGOSA AND WEISS LED SUNDAY'S  "MARCH OF GRATITUDE"

To commemorate the 60th anniversary of VE-Day, marking the total surrender of the Third Reich to the Allied Forces, the Simon Wiesenthal Center held a March Of Gratitude on Sunday, May 8th. The March was followed by an official program for the LA community to thank those who fought so bravely to save the world from tyranny. The program was held at the Center's Museum of Tolerance. Following, the public was invited to view, at no charge, the Museum's newest exhibition, Liberation, Revealing the Unspeakable.

Grand Marshalls Mayor James Hahn, Councilmen Antonio Villaraigosa and Jack Weiss walked with Honorary Grand Marshalls who included:

- Members of the 442nd Battalion, Japanese American veterans of World War II, themselves victims of discrimination in the U.S., who liberated the Dachau concentration camp death march.

- PFC Alfred Frye, the last remaining member of the Army platoon who arrested Hermann Goering, Hitler's second in command.

Historic autos were provided courtesy of the Petersen Automotive Museum. The LAPD Concert Band, LAFD Bagpiper John Keyes and the LA Scots Pipe Band also performed. The March of Gratitude was sponsored by the Ralphs/Food 4 Less Foundation, Krispy Kreme, Petersen Automotive Museum and Washington Mutual Bank.

For more information contact the Center's Public Relations department, 310-553-9036.