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Recruits Take Solemn Pledge in Front of Reichstag
For the first time in the more than 50-year history of the German Armed Forces, soldiers publicly took their solemn pledge in front of the Reichstag. The event marked the 64th anniversary of the failed assassination attempt on Hitler’s life on July 20th, 1944. Over 2,000 guests participated in the ceremony in front of the seat of German Parliament, among them, Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel, Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, as well as numerous members of the German Parliament and families of the recruits. Soldierly Action Grounded in Human Dignity Defense Minister Franz Josef Jung was the first to speak to the roughly 500 recruits of the fifth and sixth companies of the ceremonial guards battalion. In his comments, he underscored that the Reichstag was a good place to perform the solemn pledge in public, for soldiers should take their pledge before the elected representatives of the German people. Jung also stressed that the actions of a soldier are always linked to human rights and human dignity; orders and the implicit obedience have clear limits. The men of the military resistance surrounding Colonel Graf von Stauffenberg preserved these limits. July 20th was an uprising of conscience. Though the assassination attempt failed, it nevertheless paved the way for a new beginning in Germany. Other nations have also recognized this, Jung added. In keeping with this principle, Germany thus needs critical, politically-minded, and educated soldiers. Only then, can they perform their duties responsibly. That is why, according to the minister, July 20th represents a mission for soldiers. Their actions must always be based on the values and norms of the German constitution. Pledging Speech In the pledging speech, Former Chancellor Helmuth Schmidt praised the military officers who attempted to assassinate Hitler on July 20th, calling them courageous and decisive human-beings. They recognized Germany’s inevitable defeat early on. Even a successful assassination attempt would not have changed that. Ultimately, there could only be unconditional capitulation. Former Chancellor Schmidt said that today the Federal Republic of Germany is a different country. It is reliable and better than all German states before it. Yet, Schmidt stressed, the Germans remain seducible. The terrors of the past must not be repeated. Schmidt defended the mission in Afghanistan, stating it was consistent with the constitution and international law. He emphasized that also any future mission should only occur on the basis of the constitution and international law, assuring the recruits, “this state will not misuse you.”July 21, 2008
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