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Speakers urge active participation in shaping peace.
As the district town of Groß-Gerau reports, the commemoration ceremony for the National Day of Mourning on Sunday, November 16, 2025, focused not only on the two World Wars, but also on current armed conflicts worldwide. In the historic town hall, citizens remembered the victims of war, violence, and terror.
A call for responsibility and social cohesion
In his speech, Groß-Gerau's mayor, Jörg Rüddenklau, reminded the audience that peace is an ongoing task that must be consciously shaped. "Peace is not a passive state, but a daily effort," he emphasized, and, with regard to global crises, pointed to the importance of shared values and responsibility.
Students from the Prälat-Diehl-School also made their mark with emotional impact . Carina Capelle and Emilie Zacharias from the advanced history course presented a thoroughly researched speech with powerful words: Those who have lost their lives must not be forgotten. Dialogue is a key to peaceful coexistence.
Further contributions and musical accompaniment
Other speakers included Ulrich Görzel , chairman of the VdK local chapter in Dornheim; Pastor Josephine Haas of the Evangelical City Church; and Walter Ullrich , chairman of the Association for the Promotion of Jewish History and Culture in the Groß-Gerau district.
The ceremony was musically accompanied by the Riedstadt Music Workshop under the direction of Wolfgang Seidemann.
Wreath-laying ceremonies at several memorial sites
Following the main ceremony in the historic town hall, a wreath was laid at the war memorial , by, among others, Mayor Rüddenklau, City Council Chairman Christian Wieser, and Ulrich Görzel. Further wreath-laying ceremonies took place at the cemeteries in Wallerstädten, Berkach, and Dornheim .
(Gross-Gerau-Red/PSGG)
