HQ U.S. ARMY EUROPE & 7TH ARMY
Unit 29351 APO AE 09014
DSN
370-8934/6647 Tel.:
06221-57-8934/6647
Website:
http://www.hqusareur.army.mil
Sept. 11, 2000
HEIDELBERG, GE – Some 25 80th Infantry Division veterans and their family members will come from locations across the U.S. to present a plaque to the city of Weimar on Oct. 7, 2000, in commemoration of the peaceful surrender of the city.
The U.S. Army, Europe Band will perform at the event,
and Brig. Gen. Lloyd T. Waterman, the Deputy Chief of Staff, Logistics for the
Army headquarters in Heidelberg, will be one of the guest speakers. The ceremony in Weimar on the 7th
will be the focal point for a week of visits in the area with local officials
and citizens.
The trip
follows upon the group’s invitation last year from the city to be present
for the 54th Anniversary celebration of the camp’s liberation.
Weimar organizers Bernd
Schmidt and Hans Stadelmann were instrumental in developing the
relationship. "Last year’s visit was the culmination of a lot
of research into the 80th ID’s role in the area at the end of
the war. Their visit was a
tremendous experience for the local citizens, as well as the veterans
themselves,” explained Schmidt.
80th Infantry
Division veteran Albert Haley made the trip last year and will be leading the
veterans’ group again this year as they come to make their own
presentation. “It’s important to us to erect a memorial ourselves
to help keep the memory of those who fought for freedom alive in Weimar and the
area,” Haley noted.
“For some of the group, the trip last year was the first time back
since the war, and so it was a wonderful opportunity the city offered us. Our trip this year -- and the plaque
we’ll dedicate -- will continue our joint efforts to pay tribute to those
who fell in harm’s way.”
[Media interested in covering the 80th
ID veterans’ Visit to Weimar and the area should contact Elke Herberger
at HQ U.S. Army, Europe Public Affairs at DSN 370-6647 or 8934 or commercial
(49) 6221-57-6647 or 8934.]