Mary Wilson
Well-known member
The Bundeswehr, Germany's federal armed forces, bid farewell to Chancellor Angela Merkel. The "Grosser Zapfenstreich" is the highest military ceremony for a civilian.
02.12.2021
At a ceremony held by torchlight, the Bundeswehr, Germany's federal armed forces, said goodbye to Chancellor Angela Merkel. The military tattoo has become the unofficial farewell ceremony for defense ministers, presidents and chancellors.
In a short, earnest speech on Thursday night, Merkel thanked Germans and called on them to approach life with a "lightness of heart" and be optimistic about their country's future.
"Sixteen years as chancellor of Germany were full of events, often very challenging — politically and as a human being," she said.
... Merkel is only the third German chancellor to be honored with such a military grand tattoo ceremony, the "Zapfenstreich." Helmut Kohl, Christian Democrat Chancellor from 1982 to1998, was the first.
https://www.dw.com/en/outgoing-germ...ll-military-honors-at-grand-tattoo/a-59995948
02.12.2021
At a ceremony held by torchlight, the Bundeswehr, Germany's federal armed forces, said goodbye to Chancellor Angela Merkel. The military tattoo has become the unofficial farewell ceremony for defense ministers, presidents and chancellors.
In a short, earnest speech on Thursday night, Merkel thanked Germans and called on them to approach life with a "lightness of heart" and be optimistic about their country's future.
"Sixteen years as chancellor of Germany were full of events, often very challenging — politically and as a human being," she said.
... Merkel is only the third German chancellor to be honored with such a military grand tattoo ceremony, the "Zapfenstreich." Helmut Kohl, Christian Democrat Chancellor from 1982 to1998, was the first.
https://www.dw.com/en/outgoing-germ...ll-military-honors-at-grand-tattoo/a-59995948
