Re-introducing the Iron Cross? - Page 5

Skybird · 03-06-08, 07:10 AM

In Germany it is considered to re-introduce a military medal of honour again: the Iron Cross. After the military excesses we had, the bundeswehr lived without a dedicated honour medal for courage and action beyond what duty demanded. There was only a medal since the 80s that generally was meant as a reward for serving and improving the interests of the country and the army, which is more a reward that focuses on service time and does not make a difference between different ways to serve and "gaining honour" - that's why it is so often given to desktop workers, or to soldiers who were involved in helping out during the Oder-flood some years ago, which was dramatic in size. but courage in the face of a shooting enemy? Risking your life and commit action beyond the call of duty while under fire? A reward for example for those soldiers who some years ago conducted to the great surprise of the NATO allies an airborne rescue operation under fire on the Balkans? No medal dedicated to such things.

I do not overrate a medal. People doing their career just in order to get it, I would not trust. It is only a piece of tin, with some textile attached to it. but there is a symbolic value in it, that currently is totally missing Germany: that a person's dedication to serve the interests of his nation and his army is recognised, and thanked for. I think that is missing. And while the Iron Cross may have to bear a historical burden from the Nazi era, it nevertheless existed since longer before even WW1, and is the current symbol of German armed forces, too: painted on each airplane, tank and many ships and vessels. It has a tradition that includes the Nazi era, yes - but it is not exclusively made of that part of history.

Or as the commentator in this German editorial - http://www.welt.de/meinung/article17..._verdient.html -
said: "Dass wir dem militärischen Heldentum misstrauen, ehrt uns. Dass militärische Helden nicht geehrt werden, ehrt uns nicht. - That we mistrust military heroism, honours us. That military heroes do not get honoured, honours us not." germany has hidden behind the Nazi past for long, and evaded many unwelcomed obligations by that. But we should stop arguing that because our ancestors did evil, we shall never become a party in a war again. Instead we should pay better attention and see it as our moral obligation to make sure that we never become the party of injustice again, but join that side that stands for what is just. that society symbolically acknowledges and honours the special deeds of those who serve beyond the call of duty, is not only a question of fairness. It is also an expression of that one means it serious with that obligation.

03-06-08, 07:10 AM	#1
Skybird Soaring Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: the mental asylum named Germany Posts: 42,604 Downloads: 10 Uploads: 0	Re-introducing the Iron Cross? In Germany it is considered to re-introduce a military medal of honour again: the Iron Cross. After the military excesses we had, the bundeswehr lived without a dedicated honour medal for courage and action beyond what duty demanded. There was only a medal since the 80s that generally was meant as a reward for serving and improving the interests of the country and the army, which is more a reward that focuses on service time and does not make a difference between different ways to serve and "gaining honour" - that's why it is so often given to desktop workers, or to soldiers who were involved in helping out during the Oder-flood some years ago, which was dramatic in size. but courage in the face of a shooting enemy? Risking your life and commit action beyond the call of duty while under fire? A reward for example for those soldiers who some years ago conducted to the great surprise of the NATO allies an airborne rescue operation under fire on the Balkans? No medal dedicated to such things. I do not overrate a medal. People doing their career just in order to get it, I would not trust. It is only a piece of tin, with some textile attached to it. but there is a symbolic value in it, that currently is totally missing Germany: that a person's dedication to serve the interests of his nation and his army is recognised, and thanked for. I think that is missing. And while the Iron Cross may have to bear a historical burden from the Nazi era, it nevertheless existed since longer before even WW1, and is the current symbol of German armed forces, too: painted on each airplane, tank and many ships and vessels. It has a tradition that includes the Nazi era, yes - but it is not exclusively made of that part of history. Or as the commentator in this German editorial - http://www.welt.de/meinung/article17..._verdient.html - said: "Dass wir dem militärischen Heldentum misstrauen, ehrt uns. Dass militärische Helden nicht geehrt werden, ehrt uns nicht. - That we mistrust military heroism, honours us. That military heroes do not get honoured, honours us not." germany has hidden behind the Nazi past for long, and evaded many unwelcomed obligations by that. But we should stop arguing that because our ancestors did evil, we shall never become a party in a war again. Instead we should pay better attention and see it as our moral obligation to make sure that we never become the party of injustice again, but join that side that stands for what is just. that society symbolically acknowledges and honours the special deeds of those who serve beyond the call of duty, is not only a question of fairness. It is also an expression of that one means it serious with that obligation. __________________ If you feel nuts, consult an expert.