Lots of videos of the modern German armed forces at a torch-light parade. Some great footage. YouTube - Gebet Nationalhymne Ausmarsch Großer Zapfenstreich Wait until 4 minutes when THAT Natioanl Anthem starts. Goose bumps. Glad we're all friends now. Good article on the Bund here. "Deutschland" Online
Preussens Gloria in the Red Square, imagine that. Seventy years ago a different parade had been planned. Times change, thank God, and thank the people who made them change
These displays are very impressive. If it was up to me, though, I would throw out the whole Prussian tradition and go back to the military traditions of the other German states, particularly Hanover and Brunswick, which were so strongly linked to Britain. I would also emphasize the military tradition of the '48 revolutionaries. This tradition, by the way, found its fullest fulfillment in the German outfits and German generals who fought for the Union in our Civil War. I'd have units named after Carl Schurz, Adolph Von Steinwehr, Karl Matthies, and Peter Osterhaus (look them up). Yet it's good to see these displays anyway. Germany since 1945 is one of the great unreported success stories of our times. Thanks to Adenauer, Brandt, Kohl, and many others, Germany is the peaceful, prosperous democracy the 48'ers dreamed of. That, I think, is what the Allied soldiers fought for, whether they knew it or not. I am part German, and I am glad that I don't have to be ashamed of the fact.
Good statement, TTH! Yes it is the merit of the allied soldiers which layed the basement for the founding of our Democrcy! And we can not thank them enough for what they did! You would wonder if you could see how less Prussian tradition is left in our Army now. This example of the Wachbattaillon contains the hugest part of it. There were so many changes during the last 10 years. They are now more oriented in the directon of the UK and US Armies. And yes, i´m proud of THIS Germany now!
