Friends!

Friends! Recently, in Drohobych, was opened a memorial table in honor of the Righteous Among the Peoples of the World, who, during the Nazi occupation, rescued Drohobych and Stryi Jews. His name was Eberhard Helmrich.

He was a German, born in Hamburg in 1899. During the war, Eberhard – Major of Wehrmacht - was responsible for food and farming. He was the head of agricultural work in Drohobych during the Second World War. The hothouse, where the products for the German military were grown, were served by Ukrainians. Under the cover of the agricultural camp, Eberhard helped the Jews, hid them on the roof. And together with his wife Donata saved women. She lived in Berlin, he - in Drohobych. Helmrich organized false documents for the Jews and sent them to his wife, who distributed them to work in German families. Thus, the couple was able to save about 200 Jews.

In 1965, Yad Vashem recognized Eberhard Helmich the Righteous among the Peoples of the world for "providing shelter, supplying essential necessities, false documents and escaping." In 1989, his wife Donata received the same title.

Friends! The feat of German Eberhard and his wife once again reminds us that everything depends on the choice of man and his personal qualities. And among the killers there always were angels who risked their own lives for the sake of saving others. The purpose of the society is to gain more and more worthy people, which means that we should act goodly, give mutual help and understanding. Hatred and aggression are terrible things that destroy not only human destinies, but also history. Let's remember that.