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German and American military representatives from Baumholder and city officials came together to pay their respects to the victims of both world wars and of terror and violence on Germany’s national day of mourning Nov. 18.
Shrugging off the brisk November weather they laid wreaths at the Baumholder cemetery, the memorial in Erzweiler and at the U.S. Army Garrison Baumholder headquarters. The memorial in Erzweiler dates back to 1957. Lt. Col. Michael D. Sullivan, USAG Baumholder commander, and Command Sgt. Major Augustus Wah, together with Peter Lang, Baumholder city and district mayor, and Lt. Col. Ingo Osbahr, German Military Training Area commander, gathered at the memorial for fallen Soldiers in the city cemetery and laid the first wreath. Other officials present included representatives of the German reservists of Baumholder area, representatives of the Baumholder shooting club, and representatives of the German Association for disabled veterans.
After a performance by the Ruschberg music association, Lang appealed to Germany, Europe and the world’s responsibility for peace. The entourage then traveled to Erzweiler where former residents of the villages located in what is now the maneuver training area also attended the ceremony. These residents were evacuated from their homes when the maneuver training area was constructed. The Ruschberg music association performed again and Bernd Alsfasser, assistant district mayor, remembered not only the fallen Soldiers but also the lost homes of the evacuees. A second wreath was laid and a minute of silence was observed.
The final stop was at the USAG Baumholder where military and city officials placed two wreaths at the memorial in front of the USAG Baumholder headquarters.
Sullivan spoke to the guests about remembering the fallen. “It is important for our two communities to remember those who lost their life for our countries. We will honor their memory, their bravery and the sacrifices they have made.”
