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President’s Report for 2009 Ladies and gentlemen, dear members of the Remembrance Society,
friends and guests.It is with great pleasure
that I welcome you to our 2009 Annual General Meeting. In August of 2009, the Remembrance Society celebrated its 7th Anniversary and we
have once again worked diligently towards raising awareness of the Remembrance Society, our goals and objectives. We continue
to work in this direction focusing on building organizational strength, maintaining our traditional services and taking on
new projects. Building Organization Strength:The Remembrance Society has shown continuous growth and our membership
now nears 300. We work as a group of dedicated individuals, volunteering our time and efforts. Our treasurer
is once more happy to report on our financial situation – a solid foundation meeting its obligations. Our website provides
details and links of our ongoing work and over this past year, I have been happy to respond to inquiries as a result of this
site. The Board of Directors meets regularly during the course of this past year and we have been pleased to work closely
with the other German Canadian organizations, both locally and abroad. Maintaining our
Traditional Services:In July of 2009, we held the Memorial Service at the Anna Tuerr Memorial in Mannheim.
Although the weather initially was unpredictable, the event was well attended by our members and we received outstanding
support from our guests of honour. As usual, the Memorial Service was followed by our Annual Fundraiser
and Picnic at Paul Tuerr’s Farm – with our best attendance to date and enjoyed by all. In October we worked closely
with the Arbeitsgemeinschaft of Kitchener and Waterloo and the German-Canadian Congress to produce the German Pioneers Day
10th Anniversary event at Kitchener’s City Hall. Let us not forget Volkstrauertag – the German Day
of Remembrance – in November at Woodland Cemetery. New Projects:The Remembrance Society
continues its commitment to the regular and long term care of the German War Graves Section at Woodland Cemetery.
In the spring of 2009, it was discovered that the wooden crosses located at the rear of this section had been vandalized.
It is our goal that these crosses (carved and originally located at the German POW camp in Gravenhurst) once restored, will
find a final resting place in an appropriate museum. The Remembrance Society commissioned and installed
in time for Volkstrauertag, replicas of these crosses – created by local artist – Edward Schleimer.
We would invite all of you on your next visit to the cemetery to visit not only the German War Graves Section but to
stroll to the corner where these wood crosses are located.
As the 40th Anniversary of the relocation to Kitchener of the remains
of the German Soldiers approaches in 2011, it is the goal of the Remembrance Society to ensure that this cemetery is provided
the dignity and attention it deserves. We have been consulted, provided our input and been assured that the new Region of Waterloo
History Museum will accurately represent early German settlers and the stories of German Canadians, their
reasons and circumstances for coming to this community and the significant contributions made by those of ethnic German
background. The Society has also met with
representatives from each of the local German clubs to enlist and motivate their younger members to lend their energy and
become involved with the projects of the Society. It has been gratifying to see the eagerness that they
have expressed in working hand in hand with us in order to preserve and further promote the projects now in place ensuring
that they will continue for generations to follow. We
are pleased to continue our support other organization such at the Transylvania Club, the Schwaben Club and the German Language
School Concordia in their fundraising efforts.In
2010, we will continue our work on the current list of projects and are always pleased with the possibility of new endeavours.
We also welcome suggestions from our members and friends.In closing, I would encourage all of you to invite your friends and relatives to become members or to donate
of your time or money to the Remembrance Society.I would like to thank all of you, especially those members who are also members of the board of directors
for your time, your effort and enthusiasm along with your ongoing commitment to build and expand our Remembrance Society to
protect and further our German Canadian heritage. Thank you very much, Helene Schramek, PresidentFebruary 21st, 2010
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