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 On a fine day in June, the sun was
shining brightly, a group of German Canadians congregated in
Conestoga County near Kitchener at the Anna Tuerr Memorial in
New Hamburg. The Monument depicts Anna and her 3 young children
and reminds us that family is the most important thing. Anna
Tuerr’s Story is not much different from those of many who came
to this country, displaced, suppressed, hungry and tired after a
long war, yet full of hope for a better future, a future she and
her husband Paul forged with much perseverance.
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| May we all work together
in the creation of a world in which humiliation,
torture, war and exploitation no longer exist
- Anna Tuerr |
There are many
stories like hers and they should be remembered for the value of
teaching a lesson for those that will come after us. These
stories should remind us of our humanity and our frailties, our
possibilities for good and not so good, for making choices that
are beneficial, rather than destructive.
 The remembrance service was emceed by Klaus
Koeppen, the first President of the society. He also introduced
Elizabeth Whitmore who spoke eloquently of her European heritage
and the contributions German-speaking
Canadian have made to this country.
Harold Albrecht, MP for the region could
not attend but send a letter to current President Helene
Schramek, reminding us that the highest concentration of German
Canadians are living in and around Kitchener in Canada.
 In her speech Helene Schramek reminded us
of all the many people that were displaced during the horrendous
events of the last century, who arrived here in Canada, where
Germans have made a significant contribution for more than 300
years. She feels that it is still somewhat difficult to preserve
the German culture in light of the historic
 events that led to
the suppression of all things German for so long all over the
world. But with much diligence and perseverance it will get the
respect it deserves, as we can already observe now. Thus we
commemorate at this memorial all those that made an effort to
right wrongs and build a new future of peace and prosperity.
 Newly
re-elected President of the German
Canadian Congress Ernst Friedel also reminded all of the
importance of remembering our past and looking towards a bright
future. A German Pastor spoke of the things that are important
from a spiritual point of view.
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| The Concordia Choir in
remembrance of Anna Tuerr |
The Concordia Men’s Choir sang some of
their best and most suitable selections to warm the hearts of
all present.
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| Helene Schramek, Klaus
Koeppen, Elizabeth Witmer, Paul Tuerr |
  After the ceremony all went to the Tuerr
farm for an annual fundraiser. There food and drink was
available in abundance, "Kamaradschaft" , good will and loyalty
was amply demonstrated, and a good amount of money was raised.
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| The Concordia Choir at the
Tuerr picnic |
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