06 Oct. 2008
Prizren, October 3: Since 1990, the “Day of German Unity” has been celebrated in Germany. Following decades of separation and Cold War confrontation, the peaceful reunification of East and West Germany was concluded by the accession of the then German Democratic Republic to the Federal Republic of Germany on this very day 18 years ago.
In a moderate but ceremonial setting, this day was also celebrated by the German servicemen and servicewomen of Multinational Task Force South in Camp Prizren.
In the morning, formations and units of 21st German KFOR Contingent marched onto the parade ground of Camp Prizren to the tunes of Air Force Band 1 from Neubiberg near Munich.
In his speech addressed to the international guests and to the soldiers of the German contingent, Brigadier General Wilhelm Grün, Commander of 21st German KFOR Contingent stated:
“We as Germans associate the 3rd of October with peace, freedom, self-determination and prosperity for all regions and all citizens of our country. … To date, more than 6,000 soldiers of the Bundeswehr are deployed in operations in Afghanistan, around the Horn of Africa, in Lebanon, in Ethiopia, in Sudan, in Bosnia-Herzegovina, in Georgia as well as here in Kosovo. We participate in these missions in order to provide a safe and secure environment to people living in war-torn and devastated regions, thus giving them the chance to establish, for themselves and for their children, a peaceful future, as well as a life in peace and freedom. … The gift of reunification was and continues to be the impetus and motivation for us to also commit ourselves to the self-determination of other people and nations. We as Germans know from personal experience how important, how precious the right of self-determination is.”
The day ended with a social get-together enjoying regional specialties from Germany, as well as with a fireworks display over Prizren ignited from the Kalaja fortress.
(Story by: PAO MNTF South)
