December 2002 - Nr. 12
Never Forgotten
In
Kitchener WWII and the many needless victims of man’s inhumanity to man at
any time are remembered annually at Woodland Cemetery.
Next
to the over 100 crosses where German prisoners of war found their last
resting place representatives of the German-Canadian community in Ontario
gather with representatives of various government levels, as well as
representatives of many different Canadian Legions.
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The ceremony is always very solemn and traditional with a very definite and unwavering format. After instructions given a member of the clergy will recount why we are there from a religious point of view. Then the Consul General of the Federal Republic of Germany, this year Dr. Klaus Rupprecht, will say the appropriate words that reflect how much we want to believe that mankind has changed. He then will lay the first wreath, accompanied by representatives of the German Bundeswehr. Following this a long list of people will be called and place their wreaths under the big cross and the flags of the now friendly two nations.
After
the wreath laying the Concordia Choirs under the direction of Alfred Kunz
will sing and a small brass section plays the tattoo and "Ich hat einen
Kameraden", this year a translated version.
Many
a tear is shed every year before the gathering breaks up, only for most
people to meet again in one of the German clubs for a warming cup of coffee
and home baked cake. This year the Alpine Club had a turn at hosting this
part.
It
is a certainty, that this event will exist for a long time and the victims
of inhumanity will never be forgotten. SFR.
