BAD ORB, Germany - Birds chirp, the sun shines through the pines, and the sound of footsteps on the pavement. Roads run alongside brightly colored buildings. A group of Soldiers walk the roads of a camp formerly known as Stalag IX-B.
From 1944 to 1945, the camp served as a Prisoner Of War camp, which held several thousand prisoners during the war.
Many American Soldiers were sent to Stalag IX-B in Bad Orb, Germany after being captured during the Battle of the Bulge in December of 1944.
Seventy years later, American Soldiers in Germany to support a training exercise get a chance to walk same grounds as Soldiers who were imprisoned at the camp during WWII.
“Walking in the same footsteps as Soldiers from World War II, I felt like a part of history,” said Spc. Walter Goodwin, a human resource specialist with the 361st Press Camp Headquarters from Fort Totten, New York.
“It was surreal,” added Spc. Louisa Viera, a human resource specialist with the same unit. “Often we get so caught up in our own personal lives without stopping to think about all that’s around us, history is right beneath our feet.”
Since the war, the camp has made a transition to becoming a place for children to visit.
“Walking on a POW camp for the first time I really expected the mood to be grim being on the same ground where Prisoners Of War experienced terrible treatment,” said Goodwin. “However, it looked peaceful, full lively trees and trails.
“I didn’t expect it too look so modern, the grounds were beautiful,” said Viera. “The transition that has taken place over the years was evident.”
This experience was something the Soldiers would take with them upon their return to the states.
“It made me feel lucky to be alive and fortunate to know the history,” said Goodwin.
“We resume our daily tasks and lives without any heed to our past or another’s past,” said Viera. “Being on the grounds was an eye opener to being more appreciative and grateful.”
From WWII to the present, a lot has changed over the years. Germany is now an ally to the United States, instead of an enemy.
“I think the camp is a beautiful memorial to the struggle and bravery of Soldiers,” said Goodwin. “Being that is no longer an active camp, it reminds me that peace does follow war.”
| Date Taken: | 06.17.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 06.17.2015 12:48 |
| Story ID: | 166990 |
| Location: | BAD ORB, DE |
| Hometown: | QUEENS, NY, US |
| Web Views: | 45 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Walk to Remember, by SGT Nicole Paese, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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