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Letters to the Editor Reflect on Lessons of the Past
Readers comment on Holocaust education, civic values, and the impact of political leadership.
Published on Feb. 6, 2026
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In a series of letters to the editor, readers discuss the importance of teaching the history of the Holocaust to high school students, the need to uphold American values of liberty and justice, and concerns about the lasting impact of divisive political leadership on future generations. The letters touch on topics ranging from personal experiences during World War II to the decline of civic discourse and the responsibility of citizens to enact positive change.
Why it matters
These letters highlight how the lessons of the past can inform our understanding of the present and guide us toward a more just and equitable future. They underscore the vital role that education, civic engagement, and principled leadership play in preserving the ideals of American democracy, even in the face of challenges and division.
The details
The letters cover a range of perspectives, from a reader who visited a Nazi extermination camp as a high school student to another who laments the decline of values and integrity in American political discourse. Several writers express concern about the example set by the Trump administration and the need to install leadership that reflects the nation's founding principles.
- The letters were published on February 6, 2026 in the Press Democrat.
- One reader recounts visiting a Nazi extermination camp as a high school student in 1967.
The players
Linda Lloyd
A reader from Santa Rosa who visited a Nazi extermination camp as a high school student in the Netherlands in 1967.
Alex Pretti
An ICU nurse at a Veterans Affairs hospital in Minneapolis who was killed while trying to help another American who was pushed by a masked agent while recording ICE activities.
Candace Spring
A reader from Windsor who wrote about Pretti's actions and the importance of standing up for democracy.
Anne Colby
A reader from Santa Rosa who questions whether the president and members of Congress ever learned about the concepts of kindness, liberty, and justice.
Patrick Corcoran
A reader from Occidental who laments the impact of Donald Trump's presidency on American culture and future generations.
M.J. Girard
A reader from Santa Rosa who calls for positive action to correct the country's course and uphold the vision of the nation's founders.
What they’re saying
“Freedom is not free”
— Alex Pretti, ICU nurse (Instagram)
“Are you OK?”
— Alex Pretti, ICU nurse (Instagram)
“Don't you know you can't go home again?”
— Ella Winters, Australian-British journalist (Press Democrat)
The takeaway
These letters underscore the importance of teaching the lessons of history, upholding civic values, and electing principled leaders who can guide the country towards a more just and equitable future. They serve as a call to action for citizens to engage in the democratic process and work to correct the course of the nation.
