War memorial in Gingst

When we visited Gingst last year, we saw that a new war memorial was being erected. But the inauguration was scheduled for the day we returned to Oberursel, so it was still covered when we left.

This year we could see it in all its glory. The memorial commemorates those who died in the First World War, and a similar memorial was erected on the site in 1925. It was removed in 1974, according to Wikipedia.

The new memorial incorporates elements of the original, which in the intervening years had been used as flower tubs in the village, ultimately saving them.

The new war memorial in Gingst

VE75 in Oberursel

Whilst the UK commemorates the 75th Anniversay of VE Day, Germany calls it the 75th Anniversary of the Liberation from National Socialism.

Commemoration events in Oberursel were held at the Opferdenkmal (memorial to victims of the National Socialism) and at the stone in front of the town hall, which contains a quote from Richard von Weizsäcker, who was Germany’s President at the time of the 40th anniversary.

“Wir Gedenken in Trauer aller Opfer des Krieges und der Gewaltherrschaft.  Nur wer die Vergangenheit verleugnet, ist in der schrecklichen Gefahr, sie zu wiederholen.”

Opferdenkmal, 8th May, 2020
Gedenkstein am Rathausplatz, 8th May 2020

The Ehrenmal in Oberursel – almost finished

Today, 17th November, 2013 is “Volkstrauertag” in Germany.  Remembrance day.  And this time last year I wrote about the progress being made on the war memorial in Oberursel for those who served and died in the First World War.  I had hoped to post a photo of the restored monument, the “Ehrenmal”.

But although work has progressed since last year, the project is still to be completed.

The Ehrenmal in November 2013

[Read more…]

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