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Speech given on October 22, 2005, at the Wreath-Laying
at Fort Devens Reserve Forces Training Area Cemetery in honor of German
and Italian Prisoners of War who died in captivity and lay buried there.
Chaplain Medairos
Members of the U.S. Armed Forces,
Honorable Italian Colleague,
Members of the Italian Community,
Members of the German-American Community,
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have come to Devens Reserve Forces Training Area to pay our respects
to and commemorate the Americans and the German and Italian prisoners
of war, who rest here in peace together, side by side.
We mourn the millions of soldiers of all nationalities who have fallen
in the Second World War — in a war that set our nations against
each other as enemies. This place — Fort Devens — testifies
to this sad and tragic part of our shared history. During World War II,
three U.S. divisions trained at Fort Devens, while almost simultaneously
— from 1944 through 1946 — a prisoner-of-war camp for German
and Italian prisoners was in operation here.
As early as 1946, in his memorable Stuttgart address, then-U.S. Secretary
of State James F. Byrnes called for understanding in Europe and for assistance
to the German nation on its path to a free and peaceful future.
Countless Americans assisted Germany, which had lost the war, with their
own private means in order to heal the wounds of war.
And America treated the prisoners of war and internees -, these men here
and many other POWs - with respect and dignity.
This year, we commemorated the 60th anniversary of the end of World War
II. Looking back on the last 60 years, I would like to add one remark.
In the life span of men and in the destiny of nations, 60 years is a long
time. Sixty years constitutes a significant time span for all of us gathered
here.
Not much time is left to learn from the generation of eye witnesses who
experienced the war firsthand and suffered during that time, to gain from,
their memories, and their experiences. That is why it is so important
to me to have my son join us today to listen.
We must help younger people understand why it is vital to keep memories
alive.
In the Bible, it is described how often the memory of assistance and rescue
begins to fade after only 40 years, and once memory fades, tranquility
comes to an end. It can be much less!
Had I been born in 1894, like my grandfather was, and not, as I was, in
1948, I would have been compelled to fight in two World Wars — to
fight against French, British, Russians, and Americans, among whom I have
good friends and colleagues.
After 1945, the lessons of the war have become a guide for Europe's future
and for the Transatlantic Partnership. For 60 years, we have been living
in peace and freedom, thanks in large part to the United States. My feeling
is one of deep gratitude toward America.
So let us continue to work together for peace: in a spirit of friendship,
deep affinity and solidarity, which testifies to the human spirit and
the bonds between our nations.
Let me conclude by expressing our wholehearted thanks to the members of
the Massachusetts Veterans Team out of Worcester, who care for this cemetery
all year round and who have prepared the grounds so nicely for today's
ceremony. Thank you very much.
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