By Rose S. Prinzi

It has been over 60 years since World War II and the Holocaust.  To survivors these historic events remain real and ever-present; but for some others, sixty years makes the War and the Holocaust seem part of ancient history.

Lest we forget World War II and the lessons learned, Glenn W. Snow established the World War II Legacy Fund at the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation.  It was his intention to support The Robert H. Jackson Center in order to advance the positive legacies that came from the War.   It was his intention as a veteran for us “to remember the conflict that forever changed the face of American life and the direction of world history.” Even though Mr. Snow was from Cleveland, he respected and supported the work of The Robert H. Jackson Center.

The World War II Legacy Fund is only one of 18 funds administered at the Foundation to support The Robert H. Jackson Center. The Chautauqua Region is fortunate to be the home of The Center, as it continues to “preserve, promote and advance the legacy of Justice Jackson through education, exhibits and events which emphasize the current relevance of Jackson’s ideas on individual freedom and justice.”

As the architect of modern day international trial process, Robert H. Jackson was a leading American lawyer of the 20th century. He served as a United States Supreme Court Justice from 1941 until 1954. During 1945-46, Justice Jackson was the chief prosecutor of the surviving Nazi leaders at Nuremberg, Germany. 

Jackson's skill and courage in bringing Nazi war criminals to justice set the standards for modern international law, standards to which the world continues to look today.  It was through the energy, intelligence and leadership of Justice Jackson that the International Military Tribunal was organized and the trials carried out, standards of evidence developed, rights of defendant’s defined and prosecutorial action commenced. Jackson was the driving force behind the conduct of the trials themselves.

This year marks the 65th Anniversary of the Liberation of Nazi concentration camps; and today, April 11th, is the National Day of Remembrance. On this day, we remember those who suffered, those who fought, and those who died in World War II. 

Of all the funds, the Foundation holds, the Glenn W. Snow/World War II Legacy Fund specifically addresses the intent to remember our history and the lessons learned by the struggles and sacrifices made by the “greatest generation”.
If you are interested in learning more about the various funds we have at the Foundation, or would like to make a donation in memory or in honor of a special individual or cause, call 661-3390 or go to www.crcfonline.org to make an online contribution.