Volkstrauertag

"Volkstrauertag (German for "People's mourning day") is a public holiday in Germany two Sundays before the first day of Advent. It commemorates all those who died in armed conflicts or as the victims of violent oppression. It was first observed in its modern form in 1952." (Wikipedia)


Seldom has this day been so appropriate.



Our village with around 700 inhabitants has two war memorials, one at the main church and a further one at a chapel. Many of the family names on the  monument are well known to this day.

I hope we never need to build such a monument again.