Teenagers tend to military graves together in decades-long friendship

The exchange brought together 15 German teenagers and 15 of their peers from Staffordshire for a week of peace and reconciliation-related activities from their base at the Army Cadet Camp on Cannock Chase.

The young people helped out at the German Military Cemetery tending the graves by remarking names and dates, gardening and general upkeep. They also met up with and worked alongside veterans from the Staffordshire Regiment and the Royal British Legion, hearing their stories and making intergenerational friendships.

Other trips included visits to the National Memorial Arboretum, Coventry Cathedral and the Imperial War Museum in Manchester. The exchange concluded with special commemorative events at the Commonwealth and German cemeteries where a Wreath was laid by the German Embassy Defence Attaché. A reception at County Buildings, in Stafford, was also held and attended by over 100 civic guests.

The camp, which ran from Sunday 27 July to Thursday 7 August, was run by SCVYS (Staffordshire Council of Voluntary Youth Services).

Phil Pusey, Chief Executive of SCVYS, said: “The camp is always a fabulous event which brings people together across national and generational boundaries. The themes of peace and reconciliation continually challenge us all to be people of peace in our everyday dealings with those we meet, work and live with, reminding us of the futility of war and conflict which unfortunately continue to this day across our world."

Ian Cooper, Leader at Staffordshire County Council who attended the commemorative events said: "This is an important partnership that has seen young people from Germany visiting Staffordshire to help tend the military graves for over 60 years now.

“The initiative gives the young people the opportunity to make new friends and learn about each other while sharing experiences. It also provides a time for reflection to remember those who lost their lives in the world wars.

This year’s visit is particularly poignant, as we commemorate the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day and Victory over Japan Day, which ended the Second World War.”

Paul Williams, Chairman of Staffordshire County Council, said: “This is a long-running friendship between the young people of Bremen and Staffordshire and we’re proud to support it.

“It’s wonderful to see the young people get on so well, sharing their stories and learning more about peace, reconciliation and the importance of friendships. I’d like to thank them for their hard work - not only in helping to maintain the cemetery, but also in helping everyone to come together in the spirit of peace.

“The visits to Coventry, the city of reconciliation, and to the National Memorial Arboretum show the real impact of war and the effect it has on people’s lives. It’s friendships like this that offer hope and bring about this reconciliation. I look forward to many more years of this wonderful friendship between our regions.”

The highlight of this year was the visit of a Peace Bell, which travels the world bringing veterans and others together to repair the damage of war.

The partnership was established in 1962 and is supported by Staffordshire County Council and the Volksbund (German War Graves Commission) in Germany.