Soldiers and reservists come together for festive Christmas celebrations to honor their camaraderie and usher in the end of the year. The proceedings culminate with a peaceful, illuminated procession to the chapel.
Thanstein's Soldiers' and Reservists' Kameradschaft Celebrates Christmas and Reflects on 2014
In the heart of Thanstein, the Soldiers' and Reservists' Kameradschaft (Kameradschaft Thanstein) held their traditional Christmas celebration, drawing a procession of over 50 participants, including children, reservists, and family members. The event was held at the Dreifaltigkeitskapelle, where Ulrich Knoch, chairman of the Kameradschaft, welcomed families and guests.
The celebration began with Pastor Eugen Wismeth setting the tone for the birth of Jesus with two stories during the service. The Thanstein church choir, led by Evi Welsch, musically framed the service with well-known Christmas carols, and Josef Reimer and members of the choir provided the musical accompaniment.
During the celebration, all the children received a Christmas gift, bringing joy to their faces. The mayor of Thanstein, Walter Schauer, and former mayor Alfons Kramer, as well as several council members, were among the guests. Evi Welsch, leader of the Thanstein church choir, received a monetary donation for her long-standing support on Remembrance Day and other events.
The "Reservists' Year" ended with a joint celebration at the Wintergarten Café. Earlier in the year, Sebastian Braun handed over the Bethlehem peace light to the torchbearers at the Obermünster in Regensburg, symbolizing the connection between the people of Thanstein and the Holy Land.
Throughout 2014, the Kameradschaft Thanstein organized several charity events aimed at supporting veterans, families of soldiers, and local social causes. Ulrich Knoch, chairman of the group, thanked everyone for their participation in these events.
Looking forward, the Kameradschaft Thanstein plans to expand its outreach by involving younger reservists and enhancing partnerships with local authorities and veteran organizations. They aim to continue and increase their charitable activities, potentially focusing on mental health support for veterans and families affected by military service. Future plans also include organizing larger commemorations and modernizing their events to attract broader participation while preserving traditions.
Efforts are expected to be made in recruiting new members, especially targeting younger generations to ensure the sustainability of the Kameradschaft. For a detailed, official record or specifics about their events, it would be best to consult the Kameradschaft Thanstein’s official publications or local historical records, as this information doesn't seem widely available in public international databases.
The Kameradschaft Thanstein is planning to expand their outreach in the coming year by engaging younger reservists and strengthening partnerships with local authorities and veteran organizations. This sharp focus will allow them to increase their charitable efforts, possibly focusing on mental health support for veterans and families impacted by military service.
In addition to their traditional events, they aim to create more outdoor-living experiences with home-and-garden initiatives, fostering a lifestyle that celebrates and supports the community in new and exciting ways.
