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Daily Record
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Record
Bathgate-based veteran's charity visit Auschwitz and see horrors of the Holocaust
Those attended described learning more about the horrific treatment of Jews, Poles, Romas and others during the Holocaust as being 'absolutely brutal'. Members of Bathgate-based veteran's charity ASA Scotland visited Auschwitz-Birkenau, Schindler's factory and the Ghetto in Krakov, Poland. Those attended described learning more about the horrific treatment of Jews, Poles, Romas and others during the Holocaust as being 'absolutely brutal'. Nazis removed all personal possessions from prisoners, then their clothes, cutting off their hair, taking away their shoes and suitcases. Thousands of shoes and cases, as well as hair are all displayed for the world to view. Those at the camps also took away disabled people's walking sticks and cosmetic limbs before being murdered. Their walking aids have all been kept to show the world what the Nazi's did. ASA members also described standing on the railway line where the trains carrying those arriving as emotional. At the end of the concentration camp, there was two huge gas chambers. They had been blown up by the Nazis to try and hide evidence from the world. Tommy Davidson, secretary of ASA Scotland forces charity, said: 'This educational visit was difficult, but to truly understand the Holocaust and what took place just 80 years ago, we did it. 'You have so many mixed emotions walking through these museums, how can anyone try and deny the Holocaust never took place, the evidence is all there. 'The Nazis were evil, history is repeating across the World, we must to teach our past and learn from it. 'I urge every politician to take the journey to Poland to learn from the Holocaust, because political speeches every day breed hatred and division and it needs to stop right now. 'We need leadership across Scotland, the United Kingdom and across the world. 'We will aim to organise a display and share our experiences with young people and communities.'
Daily Record
05-05-2025
- General
- Daily Record
Bathgate-based charity members attend Scottish Veterans Awards
The forces and veterans charity ASA Scotland is celebrating 10 years of voluntary work across Scotland. Bathgate-based veterans charity ASA Scotland attended the Scottish Veterans Awards at Prestonfield House. The charity was a finalist in this years awards. The forces and veterans charity is celebrating 10 years of voluntary work across Scotland. Charity ambassador Major Donnie Harris said: 'As a serving soldier I am honoured to be supporting this fantastic charity, what they have achieved can be measured by their outcomes over the 10 years, it is phenomenal. 'Could I begin by congratulating our fantastic secretary Tommy Davidson who was recognised at the Awards, he received the Bronze Award 2015 for Volunteer of the Year, he was also a finalist in The Community Award. 'Tommy inspires us all and is the beating heart of the charity, a humble veteran who works day and night for the charity. 'Supporting veterans is important to the ASA Scotland, over the years they have raised vital funds for Combat Stress, Poppyscotland, Soldiers Off The Street whilst donating to individual veterans. 'The charity have commissioned remembrance memorials across Scotland to those who served and paid the ultimate sacrifice, there are also memorials to those who served and have since passed, they have also organised many events that are inclusive to all. 'The educational work of the charity is brilliant, teaching the history and heritage of our Armed Forces that shaped our Nation whilst also teaching remembrance and what it means to us all, and those who serve. 'The charity inspires young people in the class room to achieve their dreams, we really need this now across the Nation, children now understand that freedom is not free, they now understand this from what has happened to Ukraine. 'As we come together as a nation let us not forget the sacrifices made during WW2, on VE Day 80 or Victory Day remember those who made it home and those who sacrificed everything for us, should that day come again, I will do my duty with my brothers and sisters.' On Thursday, May 8, the charity, in partnership with Bathgate Community Council, have invited the town to come to the Steelyard to celebrate and commemorate VE Day.
