Seventy-eight years ago yesterday and today, gangs of Nazi thugs raged through Germany. In two days of terror known as Kristallnacht, Nazis broke windows of Jewish stores, burned down synagogues and humiliated and killed Jews. They rounded up young Jewish men and sent them to concentration camps — the beginning of the Holocaust.

We Americans like to think we could never be like the Nazis. We would never allow a maniacal dictator to rise to power and take away the rights of people because of their religion. As Hillary Clinton said of our constitutional democracy in her concession speech to Donald Trump, “It also enshrines other things; the rule of law, the principle that we are all equal in rights and dignity, freedom of worship and expression. We respect and cherish these values too and we must defend them.”

As Trump said in his victory speech, “Now it’s time for America to bind the wounds of division.”

Now we come together as Americans, to put aside that which divides us and celebrate that which unites us. Brother Asaiah would tell us to love and care for each other. But we already know that. Every February it seems like we crank up some controversy almost to the point of fisticuffs, and then we dial it back and come up with a solution most of us can stomach.

We’re neighbors and friends, left, right, middle, straight, lesbian and gay, Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, Pagan and atheist, young and old, rich and poor. We’ve chosen to come here or been lucky enough to live surrounded by beauty. If you’re sad that a woman didn’t get to be president, take a long walk on the beach. If you’re happy a man stuck it to the system, take a long walk on the beach and think of those who might be sad — and how sometimes the system works.

Respect and cherish each other, Betsteroids. We are united by our love for this amazing land on Kachemak Bay, where there’s always something cool to do, like these Best Bets:

BEST GET OUTSIDE BET: With muscle power you can travel this entire state. Learn how when Derek Reynolds and Chuck Lindsay talk about fat tire biking and pack rafting from Hope to Homer. The talk starts at 5:30 p.m. at Grace Ridge Brewing, part of its Barley and O.A.T.S. lecture series.

BEST GLIDE DOWN A MOUNTAIN BET: Get started on the ski season with the 67th annual Warren Miller ski film, “Here, There and Everywhere.” A fundraise for the Homer Rope Tow, the film shows at 7 p.m. today at the Homer Theatre. Admission is $15. There will be door prizes awarded and an update on our local ski hill and rope tow.

BEST BIG THANKS BET: Since 1776 America’s veterans have been protecting our rights and liberties. In peacetime and war they’ve sacrificed to keep us free. Celebrate veterans of all the services at 11 a.m. Friday with the annual Veterans Day parade. It starts at the Emblem Club Veterans Memorial at Lake Street and Pioneer Avenue with a brief ceremony, with a parade down Pioneer to Main Street to the Sterling Highway, ending at the American Legion Post 16 Veterans Memorial at the Alaska Islands and Ocean Visitor Center.

BEST MORE ART BET: Art openings continue for Second Friday with a student art show at Kachemak Bay Campus and the Inspired by Diaries at the Pratt Museum. Meet the artists from 5-7 p.m.

BEST BE KIND BET: This is good timing, the Dance for Kindness Worldwide Flash Mob. Who can argue with that? Tap your feet and celebrate love and good cheer at 2 p.m. Sunday at Homer High School. Sign up at danceforkindness.com.