[Sparkles]

Jan Zwartendijk arrived in Lithuania from Holland as a businessman who worked for Phillips electronics. He later became the Dutch honorary consul-general a day before the Soviet Union invaded Lithuania.

The importance of Zwartendijk began in 1940 when he distributed his first "Curaracao visa" to the husband of Mrs. Lewin. This visa allowed the holder to leave the country and head for the Dutch-controlled Carribean island of Curacao and the only way through this destination was to pass through Japan. With the help of the Japanese diplomat, Chiune Sugihara, Zwartendijk was able to issue over 2,000 visas.

After Zwartendijk's office was closed in 1940, he returned to German-occupied Netherlands with his wife and three children and continued to work for Phillips electronics. Living in the German occupied location, Zwartendijk was worried that the Gestapo would find out the truth behind the Curacao visa scheme, but this never happened. The only thing that occurred was questioning by the Gestapo after they found his name in the coat of a person who atempted to elude the Gestapo.

Over the years, Zwartendijk didn't care about fame or acknowledgement, but all he wanted to know was how many people were able to pass. Before he died, he was told that he saved many important people such as Zerach Warhaftig, minister in the Israelli government and also a large group of seminarians. He was then accepted into the ranks of the Righteous Among the Nations.

Zwartendijk's actions can influence many people to lend a helping hand. Unlike the US during WW2, he decided to issue visas to those in need of it rather than denying them. If more people were to learn about him, they would be encouraged to do the same.

Abba Kovner and his resistance speech is persuasive, but many might of not listened to him. His courageous character would rather put up a fight then be taken and slaughtered without any resistance.

Miep Gies is basically a person of good will and bravery. She knew the consequences of her actions, but she continued to help the famous Anne Frank and her family.