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VISITING
AUTHOR/EDITOR ARTICLE
JANUARY
2010
We Remember Our
Ancestors
Forwarded
From Trenton Donauschwaben
It’s been 30 years since the late Peter Kiss initiated
services at our club’s large memorial at Our Lady of Lourdes
cemetery near Trenton. That inaugural event followed a long and
arduous process led by Peter to fund the purchase of a large 20’ x
10’ plot and three granite monuments engraved with text and
victims’ names. It would surely please Herr Kiss to know that three
decades later the memorial service remains a vital and well-attended
happening on the club’s yearly calendar.
Held each All Soul’s Day, the event recalls the tragic
history of the Donauschwaben in the aftermath of WWII. White crosses
with names of the many concentration camps are placed around the
monuments as a stark reminder of what happens when hatred, vengeance
and opportunism collide. The well manicured memorial stands as a
silent witness to the horrors of so many years ago. Through prayer,
song and ritual, almost 40 members and friends gathered this past
November 1st to insure that those who lost their lives were not
forgotten. Among other things, the service featured remarks by Andy
Franz as well as a poem recitation by Eva Martini, both survivors of
this terrible time period.
Our youngest generation was also on hand to lead the crowd in
prayers, they included Brittaney, Mary, Luisa & Christina. Luisa
also read a passage from the German language bible entitled “Der
Herr ist mein Hirte” and sang the Donauschwaben Volkshymne.
It was all most meaningful and well received. Many then
returned to the club for complimentary coffee and cake to end the
afternoon in a most enjoyable manner.
We’re happy to report that the event continues to enjoy
excellent support from our own club as well as from members of the
German American Society and from the Philly DS. In fact, the numbers
have been growing over the past few years. It is also very reassuring
that every age group is well represented as it bodes well for the
future of this important club undertaking.
We look forward to seeing you there next year.
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