German U-boat commander Werner Henke was shot and killed in a suicidal attempt to escape from his American enemies during World War II.
He was among thousands of Axis prisoners captured while fighting for the Nazis. But more than 60 years later, U.S. and German military officers shook hands over his grave Sunday and spoke of friendship.
This is a tradition that has lasted more than three decades, bringing together members of the German Embassy, the Fort Meade command group and the German Wives Club to remember the 58 prisoners who arrived at Fort Meade in September of 1943, and the 33 who died in captivity. Henke is the only officer among the 33 German soldiers buried in Fort Meade?s Post Cemetery.
“We do not know the individual stories of the men buried here. We know they were mother?s sons and loved ones just like us, and whatever nationality, we can relate to that,” Col. Kenneth McCreedy said.
The ceremony was simultaneous to Germany?s National Day of Mourning, similar to Memorial Day, in which thousands honor lost military lives.
“They gave what certainly is the most precious gift given to them ? their lives,” German naval attache Capt. Michael Werner said at the ceremony.
“Countries cannot be judged only by the way they treat their living, but by the way they treat their dead.”
As the tradition remains steadfast, so do those who return every year.
Members of the German Wives Club mark the graves with a German flag and a bundle of flowers for the occasion.
“It?s really a humanitarian effort because they did not ask to die here. Politics need to be set aside when dealing with prisoners of war,” said Gertraud Breitkopf, of Brandywine, president of the club for German women living in the United States but holding onto their home country?s customs.
Though the day was one of mourning, spirits were high and conversations reminiscent.
Carlo DePorto, 87, of Gambrills, was the only WW II veteran in attendance this year. “I served in World War II, Korea and Vietnam,” said the veteran who came to honor his once-enemies.
Judy Wagner, of Gambrills, returned to kneel before one grave in particular. She placed her hand on the tombstone.
“His name was Otto Wagner,” she said. “I don?t know if he?s a relative of ours, but he may be, so we keep coming back.”
