Langeleben

BrianK

To the Committee. On behalf of my-self and the 90% of the Membership who couldn't, wouldn't or were unable to attend the AGM at the end of May, may I ask the following question? Will you inform us via this Forum as to the format/inscription that is intended for the memorial stone/tablet and its proposed sighting with regards to the camp, (or where it used to be?).

admin · Posted: Sat Jun 07, 2008 11:28 am Post subject:

The proposed wording on the Memorial can be viewed HERE

Drawings of the Memorial can be seen HERE

Ernie Callaghan · Posted: Sat Jun 07, 2008 12:40 pm Post subject: Memorial

Just to say that nearly 20% of our members attended the last AGM, the report and the minutes are already available on the website. The forum only has 90 registered members of which only about 20 ever participate and less than half our membership have access to a computer.
As you can see the proposed wording is available and we are now endevouring to append photographs. (Done, see above edit. Admin)
The exact siting of the memorial has not yet been finalised but is in an area opposite the old Kinderheim and Falkenheim (Youth Hostel). The monument will be near the entrance to the walking paths into the woods and to the peoples natural cemetary where ashes can be scattered, a favoured place with the locals.
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Langeleben Dec 1957- March 1959.

BrianK · Posted: Sat Jun 07, 2008 6:43 pm Post subject: Memorial.....................

Many thanks for the information, much appreciated...........

paul croxson · Posted: Sat Jun 07, 2008 8:44 pm Post subject:

I followed the discussions closely (so I thought) and I was left with the clear impression that the advice from Germany was that a handshake as in the original design has political implications that are unacceptable and that if we went ahead with the design we could expect it to be vandalised within 24 hours. A furthewre discussion took place and resulted in the decision to replace the handshake with crossed flags. Did I attend a different meeting?

Ernie Callaghan · Posted: Sun Jun 08, 2008 7:31 am Post subject: Memorial

No Paul, everything you say is correct, the handshake emblem within a double circular border resembles very closely the insignia celebrating the union between the hated East German regime of Honniker and the Soviet block. When John Richardson showed the design to his Politzei collegues everybody in the office remarked on the similarity and one even suggested that the monument would not last a fortnight before being in his words"blown up", a red rag to a bull.
To every right thinking person in the world a handshake cannot denote anything other than a sign of friendship but not all the world is right thinking, who are we to question their motives. After much discussion between ourselves and German aquaintences we decided that it would be expedient to replace the contentious handshake with the crossed flags of the two nations which conveyed the same message, better safe than sorry.
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Langeleben Dec 1957- March 1959.

paul croxson · Posted: Sun Jun 08, 2008 10:00 am Post subject:

Thanks Ernie for the re-assurance that I am not losing my marbles.
I think that Brian K's posting illustrates how important it is that all members (at least those with access to the web know what they are getting.
I know there is a small note on the website pointing out that the hands have been replaced with the crossed flags but I feel that this should be stressed and your explanation also now explains the reasoning.
I was never comfortable with the handshake as illustrated - not being one of those who goes around shaking hands for various reasons. I tried to replicate the grip and found it impossible.
I had some slight concern too with the concept of a monochrome tricolour. That is a bit of an oxymoron really, rather like the proverbial 'military intelligence'. It does have the advantage though that should we fall out at any time with the Germans (perish the thought) we can always claim that it is the flag of another country.

Ernie Callaghan · Posted: Sun Jun 08, 2008 10:38 am Post subject: Memorial

Paul, the reasons for the change of the handshake were discussed at the AGM and the replacement crossed flags was agreed by a show of hands.
Members like Brian K' who do not attend reunions and have access to the website are kept fully up to date with events. Brian has not attended for the last eight years because he thinks that we should return to the spit & sawdust days of pre 2000, not allow women and guests to attend reunions and like you does not like dancing to loud bands, that is his perogative.
As far as I can see Brian has made no contribution either to the memorial debate or to the fund.
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Langeleben Dec 1957- March 1959.

BrianK · Posted: Sun Jun 08, 2008 12:07 pm Post subject:

Not going to let this one pass Mr Callaghan. Not sure why I have been singled out to be castigated for my views that just happen not to coincide with the people who attend the re-unions. I have no problem with the way they are run if it is the wishes of the majority, never have had, but if I do not like the format, I don't attend. My choice, and if I miss a damn fine weekend, again my choice. Nothing to do with anyone else. Regarding the expression 'spit and sawdust' days, yes I found them a laugh and good fun, but so did a lot of others who would like the re-union to continue in the same way, perhaps it may next year when it returns to the beer tent! Who knows? As for not dancing to loud bands where did that load of bulldust come from? Every Saturday and Sunday night its out to my club 'cos its dance night. As someone who was Rock n' Roll champion of Lincolnshire in the late fifties (still got the cup) I can still 'go a bit' Also trog round the floor to a bit of Glen Miller. So before you put finger to keyboard get your facts right!!' I remind you that I asked a perfectly reasonable question and thanked you for your answer. Anything else from you was not required............................

Ernie Callaghan · Posted: Sun Jun 08, 2008 12:51 pm Post subject: memorial

Brian, I stand corrected and apologise prefusely, but it is awkward to dance without the femail of the species. If you are attending the next reunion in Koenigslutter then save a jive for me then Glen Miller will put me in the mood for the last dance.
I do enjoy our little tussles Brian you have a sense of humour and I look forward to seeing you again next year.
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Langeleben Dec 1957- March 1959.

BrianK · Posted: Sun Jun 08, 2008 2:41 pm Post subject:

Accepted Ernie, also sorry if I went a bit over the top. If its the beer tent next year then I really must make an effort as at my stage of the game I suppose it may be one last Hurrah! Also accept what you say about having to have a lady type partner, can't beat a 'bum clutcher after midnight slope round the floor' to friend Miller!!

Ernie Callaghan · Posted: Sun Jun 08, 2008 3:43 pm Post subject: Memorial

Glad we are friends again Brian. Now that you have signed my dance card I'll meet you in Schumanns, Pete Ellis and Rusty Rosson will be there but Hermann can't make it. As you say , it could be the last hoorah, once we have passed our alloted three score and ten every reunion is a bonus.
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Langeleben Dec 1957- March 1959.

David Thomas · Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2008 7:09 pm Post subject:

Good evening All, I just wonder why we are right calling our stone a memorial, to my mind I’d rather think of it as a commemorative stone; recalling the great times and people we knew there. As we’ve discussed before, we have the Last Post on this site, and the Roll of Honour at the AGM, which recalls guys no longer with us. So I contend the stone is not principally to remember them, but more to celebrate Brits and Germans during a certain period of our lives. Therefore let’s refer to it as commemorative rather than memorial. All the best. Dave T.
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Dave Thomas 2 Sqn 13 SR, '63-'66

paul croxson · Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2008 8:16 pm Post subject:

I take the point but .... "Thanks for the memory".

Ernie Callaghan · Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2008 7:53 am Post subject: Memorial

Quite right Dave, In correspondence I sometimes refer to it as Monument and sometimes as Memorial, commerative stone it is.
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Langeleben Dec 1957- March 1959.


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