Visit of US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Michael Mullen and IDF Chief of the General Staff Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi to Yad Vashem

16 February 2010

Admiral Michael G. Mullen, Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Lt. General Gabi Ashkenazi, IDF Chief of the General Staff, visited Yad Vashem on February 16, 2010.

The visit began with a moving greeting by Israeli soldiers visiting Yad Vashem. Adm. Mullen and Lt. Gen. Ashkenazi visited the Holocaust History Museum and the Hall of Names, as well as the new exhibition “Architecture of Muder: The Auschwitz-Birkenau Blueprints.” They participated in a memorial ceremony in the Hall of Remembrance and visited the Children’s Memorial. Upon exiting the Children’s Memorial, Adm. Mullen signed the Visitors’ Book:

I will always remember this day. This place is a wonderful and tragic place simultaneously to remember those who suffered and sacrificed so much and those who saw hope and created a bright future. Thank you for making all of what is here possible. 
Mike Mullen
Admiral, U.S. Navy
Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff

Adm. Mullen and Lt. Gen. Ashkenazi visit the Holocaust History Museum, guided by Director of the Yad Vashem Libraries Dr. Robert Rozett

Adm. Mullen and Lt. Gen. Ashkenazi study an exhibit in the Holocaust History Museum

Adm. Mullen and Lt. Gen. Ashkenazi during the Memorial Ceremony in the Hall of Remembrance

Adm. Mullen and Lt. Gen. Ashkenazi in the Holocaust History Museum

Adm. Mullen and Lt. Gen. Ashkenazi in the Hall of Names

Adm. Mullen and Lt. Gen. Ashkenazi study one of the architectural drawings of Auschwitz on display in the exhibition “Architecture of Murder: The Auschwitz-Birkenau Blueprints”, guided by Director of the Photo Archive Dr. Daniel Uziel

Lt. Gen. Ashkenazi speaking upon exiting from the Children’s Memorial