Herrenabend

Tonight I had the privilege of dining with Charley and several other WWII Afrika Korps veterans (they call themselves Afrikaner – Africans) at their table during the Herrenabend.  We enjoyed ourselves immensely, and I probably became the first civlian woman to taste of the forbidden fruit that is the ‘Gentleman’s evening’. It sounds fairly titillating in translation but really wasn’t.

It was however, very exciting for a historian looking for stories from WWII. I met many men whom George already knows, admires, and has interviewed, and a few he hasn’t. I certainly will have a wonderful adventure trying to drive all over Germany to interview all the men before I come home.

This morning representatives from Panzer divisions laid wreaths on the stones of their units in remembrance of their fallen comrades. Once a year only they are allowed to honor their fallen brothers, in a country that wishes to forget its involvement in both world wars.  An outbreak of emotion overcame one group, disconsolate at the enormous loss of young life, at the tragic personal toll.

After lunch Charley and I took back country roads headed for Berlin, arriving quite late.

Unfortunately, our plans to visit a Berlin battlefield and cemetery with 20,000 fallen tomorrow may have to be cancelled because some left-leaning radicals plan to have a demonstration at the cemetery while supposedly looking for a fight with right-leaning radicals.  I’ve been told by some that we simply can’t vouch for Charley’s safety if we go. I’m getting so confused.  Aren’t cemeteries sacred here?

It’s Germany’s veteran’s day – or mourning day as its called here, and of course those soldiers, women, old people and children who were killed in the last moments of the war while trying to reach the Americans will not be honored but dishonored where they lay.

Truly, a day for mourning in Germany.

I wish all my American veteran friends a heartfelt thank you for your service and sacrifices in all the wars. I can only offer these small words of gratitude to those who fell defending our freedom and the world’s freedom. Let’s be glad that in America our brave men can enjoy the thanks of a very grateful nation.

In deepest appreciation.