Learning from history: Salzgitterer trainees in search of traces in Europe

Learning from history: Salzgitterer trainees in search of traces in Europe

Niederbronn-les-Bains, Frankreich - An unforgettable adventure for the youngsters of the city of Salzgitter! For the first time, the trainees went on an exciting study trip that made them dive deeply into German history. Organized in cooperation with the Volksbund Deutsche Wargräberfürsorge, the trip to the international youth meeting in Oberelsass, where the participants not only researched the past, but also learned valuable lessons for the future.

under the direction of educational officer Dr. Rainer Bendick and a committed team from the HR staff and organization specialist service, the participants explored significant places during their five -day stay. An emotional climax was visiting the war graves, where they discovered the moving stories of soldiers like August Waigel. The tombstone, decorated with euro coins, recalled the young man who fell in the war and his brother Theodor, a pioneer of the euro, campaigned for European unification.

moving memories and historical sites

The second day led the group to Verdun, the scene of one of the bloodiest battles of the First World War, where around 700,000 people lost their lives. The trainees were in awe of the remains of the Fort Douaumont and the Gebeinhaus, which houses 130,000 dead dead. Jan Wahnschaffe, an administrative assistant in training, was visibly moved: "I have now become aware of the whole cruelty of the war and the importance of Franco-German reconciliation."

Another important support was the former Natzweiler-Struthhof concentration camp, which today serves as a memorial. The trip ended with a visit to the European Parliament in Strasbourg, where the trainees experienced the peaceful solution of conflicts in the European Union. Training manager Matthias Weber reported on the positive feedback: "This study trip has sensitized the young people and was a valuable addition to the regular training content." The considerations for future trips are already in full swing!