Youngstersw tending war graves on a previous visit

Youngsters join to tend war graves

Youngsters from across Staffordshire will join their counterparts from Germany tending the graves of German and British soldiers next week.

They will join at Cannock Chase's German Military and Commonwealth War cemeteries next week. They will tend the grave plots of both German and British soldiers.

The work is part of a programme of events organised by Staffordshire County Council's Youth Service in conjunction with the authorities in the German city of Bremen. The aim is to develop international understanding and friendship amongst young people.

County Councillor Robert Simpson, Cabinet Member for Children and Lifelong Learning said: "Young people have been annually visiting from Germany to help tend the military plots for 44 years, and this year is set to involve more young people than ever before.  The visit will allows the young people remember those in the war and commemorate the many years of friendship between Staffordshire and the German state of Bremen, as well as help in the maintenance of a part of Staffordshire that is internationally important.

"Contrary to popular belief, young people are interested in the lessons to be learned from war time, and this visit really highlights the value of young people working together, regardless of where they're from." 

The young people will also be taking part in a number of other commemorative events such as meeting members of the British Legion and taking part in a wreath laying ceremony.

Robert continued: "The visit really highlights the friendship, peace and reconciliation of our two countries, and represents how the lessons of the inhumanity of war are being received by today's young people." 

Page Last Modified: 30/01/2007 16:05:14

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