‘Roddie’s Code’ meant to inspire Rhode Islanders

From Oct. 21 to 23, Pastor Chris Edmonds of Maryville, Tennessee, made a whirlwind trip around Rhode Island to share the story of his father, Master Sgt. Roddie Edmonds. Roddie Edmonds was a young leader of the 106th Infantry platoon which was captured by the Germans during World War II. Upon their imprisonment, a Nazi major ordered him to turn over all his Jewish soldiers. At gunpoint, Master Sgt. Edmonds refused, saying “We are all Jews.” He saved over 200 Jewish lives that day.

Almost 30 years after his death, his son Chris went on an incredible journey of discovery, which culminated in the documentary film “‘We are all Jews here’- The Story of Roddie Edmonds.” He also celebrated his father in a book “No Surrender: A Father, a Son, and an Extraordinary Act of Heroism That Continues to Live on Today.” The posthumous bestowment of Yad Vashem’s recognition of Roddie as “Righteous Amongst Nations” for his bravery and moral courage offers inspiration to all.

Pastor Edmonds was brought here by the Sandra Bornstein Holocaust Education Center, the Jewish Alliance and Temple Sinai, along with the generous support of Shelley and Andy Siegal. He began his visit at Temple Sinai in Cranston Monday evening, where he participated in a panel with Rabbi Jeffrey Goldwasser and a collection of clergy from across the state.

Tuesday morning, Pastor Edmonds spoke to over 200 middle school students and 500 high school students from all over Rhode Island during two presentations at Bishop McVinney Auditorium in Providence. That evening, the pastor gave a presentation to the public at the Met School in Providence. This visit was especially meaningful to Sandy Poissant, whose father was imprisoned along with Sergeant Edmonds.

On Wednesday, Pastor Edmonds addressed 450 students at Tollgate High School in Warwick, before finishing his visit with a program at Bryant University in Smithfield that evening.

Pastor Edmonds uses his platform to encourage students and adults alike to live by “Roddie’s code,” which stresses the importance of putting others above self. He finished each presentation with the assertion that “an ordinary life well lived is extraordinary.”

GIOVANNA WISEMAN is director of programs and community outreach at the Sandra Bornstein Holocaust Education Center.