von Laura Ellwanger (12.1), Lisa Shaffer (12.2) und Polina Valeev (12.1), 10.03.2025, 09:41 Uhr
Im Rahmen der Gedenkfeier zum 80. Jahrestag der Eroberung der Brücke von Remagen durch US-Amerikanische Truppen am 7. März 1945 hielten Laura Ellwanger, Polina Valeev und Lisa Shaffer als Schülerinnen des Leistungskurs Geschichte der Jahrgangsstufe 12 diese beeindruckende Rede in englischer Sprache (deutsche Übersetzung siehe Fortsetzung):
Lisa: Good afternoon, General Rohling, Mr Schweitzer, Miss Weigand, Mr Ingendahl, Konsul General Heath, Konsul General Bergeret, Miss Patton, Miss Keelan and all ladies and gentlemen present.
We are Laura Ellwanger, Polina Valeev and Lisa Shaffer. We attend the 12th grade advanced history class of the IGS Remagen. It is an honor for us to speak to you. As students of this history course, we often encounter historical events. Still, we have to acknowledge that as the fourth generation after the war the events of that faithful day in March 1945 resonate to this day.
As a German American citizen whose great grandfather (Everett Earl Shaffer, Corporal, 1912-1976) served with the US Third Army in the region in 1945 these events have quite the special meaning to me personally. The remains of this bridge represent the opportunity that was given to Germany, to renew our political and social system and work towards a better, democratic future.
Polina: As a regular student I do not have a special connection to these events, but nonetheless the bridge reminds me of how the course of history was changed for the better on March 7th, 1945. It makes me think of what could've been, what path Germany could've taken and it shows me how important it is to appreciate the actions of those brave soldiers, to remember their sacrifices and to be grateful for what they've made possible for our country. They have built the fundament for our current life by risking theirs, which is something we should always remember, when thinking about the relationship between the USA and Germany and all our allies. This friendship goes beyond some contracts and beyond the relationship of the leaders of our countries, it goes back decades and it should be honored.
Laura: For me the destroyed Bridge of Remagen is a symbol of freedom, a symbol of peace. It stands for our struggle to achieve our way of living as self-determined people. Still, it also stands for the short distance of a society clamoring for democracy to being oppressed in a dictatorship. Being part of the fourth generation that came after these events, it is our task to remember this and ensure our freedom. As long as we value our democracy, places like the bridge will not lose their importance. Since VE Day (Victory in Europe Day), Germany was freed of an oppressive, genocidal dictatorship. Divided, rebuilt from the ashes, West Germany established itself as a prosperous and free member of the western society, as well as a central pillar of NATO. In 1990 East and West Germany reunited, stabilizing Europe and helped to develop a peaceful and stable European Union. Ever since these events Germany has lived in peaceful coexistence with its neighboring countries as a free democracy.
Lisa: We hope that going forward we can (with our US American friends and all our allies), continue to write a common, peaceful and prosperous story. Our generation will remember this event as a key piece of our history which allowed us to grow up in such a free and democratic nation. Thank you very much.
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