Army Reserve Command hosts German Day of Remembrance Ceremony

Photo By Maj. Addie Leonhardt | (Left to right) U.S. Army Reserve Col. Sanford Artman, deputy commander of the 76th Operational Response Command; Dieter D. Uchtdorf, second counselor of the First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; and Charles W. Dahlquist II render honors recognizing the fallen German soldiers from World War I and World War II during the German Day of Remembrance ceremony at the Fort Douglas cemetery on 17 November 13.  

SALT LAKE CITY, UT, UNITED STATES

11.17.2013

Story by Capt. Addie Leonhardt 

76th Operational Response Command

FORT DOUGLAS, Utah – The 76th Operational Response Command hosted this years’ annual German Day of Remembrance during a ceremony held 17 Nov. at Fort Douglas Cemetery.

The German Day of Remembrance has been held every year in Utah since 1977. This is the first year in the recent history that the German Day of Remembrance was not conducted by the German Air Force Liaison Officer.

In 1945, two months after Germany had surrendered, nine German prisoners of war being held at a camp in Salina, Utah were waiting to be processed and sent home when a guard opened fire on them.

Those nine German Soldiers are buried in the southwest section of the Fort Douglas Cemetery along with about 20 other German Soldiers buried there from World War I were honored during the annual German Day of Remembrance ceremony.

Distinguished speaker Dieter F. Uchtdorf, second counselor of the First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was a fighter pilot in the postwar German Air Force, offered remarks at the event, explaining that Volkstrauertag, in its modern form, is not only to mourn the dead — but also to remember the tragedy of war while advocating peace.

“Commemoration and mourning must not be done for history only, but (also) to work for reconciliation and peace in the present and for the future," he said.

“It is a privilege and honor to have sponsored and participated in this year’s event,” said U.S. Army Reserve Col. Sanford Artman, deputy commanding officer of the 76th Operational Response Command. “Events such as these help demonstrate the Army Values of respect and selfless service. They bridge generational gaps honoring Veterans from decades of war and conflict,” said Artman.

While the German Day of Remembrance ceremony is a long standing tradition at Fort Douglas, this is the first time the 76th ORC has hosted the ceremony.

• Date Taken: 11.17.2013
• Date Posted: 11.18.2013 12:47
• Story ID: 116939
• Location: SALT LAKE CITY, UT, US