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BERCHTESGADEN, Germany— The 48-star flag is raised high above the town of Berchtesgaden, Germany as the American and German National Anthems are played.
The color guard stands with the American and German flags side by side. In 1945, no one could have imagined a time when these two countries would stand together to commemorate a significant event of World War II.
The U.S. 3rd Infantry Division liberated Berchtesgaden, Germany, May 4, 1945, receiving the formal surrender of the town on the Schlossplatz. The division conducted a flag-raising ceremony over Berchtesgaden the next day. This year marks the 73rd Anniversary of the liberation, and Soldiers from the 529th Military Police Company Honor Guard, 709th Military Police Battalion, participated in the anniversary celebration.
“It was a defining moment for the war and for the 3rd Infantry Division,” said retired Lt. Col. Timothy Stoy.
Stoy and retired Capt. Monika Stoy dedicated a plaque, in 2008, on behalf of the Outpost International Society of the 3rd Infantry Division in the location of the liberation in 1945. The 48-star flag has been raised on May 5 every year since 2008, to commemorate this defining moment in WWII. This year, the honor guard presented the American and German colors side by side during the ceremony.
The ceremony may have been a small, private event, but the list of VIPs was extensive. Consul General Jenifer Gavito, the U.S. Consulate in Munich, Germany was one such VIP.
“It’s amazing to see that 73 years later, we (Americans and Germans) can stand side by side and recognize the sacrifices that were made by individuals on both sides,” Gavito said.
The Outpost International Society of the 3rd Infantry Division takes extreme pride in the history and sacrifices made by the 3rd Infantry Division during WWII. This ceremony is just a small piece of appreciation to help keep the history alive for generations to come.
| Date Taken: | 05.16.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 05.16.2018 03:45 |
| Story ID: | 277166 |
| Location: | BERCHTESGADEN, RP, DE |
| Web Views: | 222 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
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