Rheines mayor speaks for the first time at the commemorative event in Borne
Rheine/Borne. Rarely has Mayor Dr. Peter Lüttmann been as moved as he was on Sunday evening at the commemoration of the dead in the old church in Borne. “I have already been able to take part in the National Remembrance of the Dead in previous years. But today is the first time that I have also stood before you as a speaker. It is a great honor and a moving moment for me.”
Lüttmann took part in this commemoration together with his deputy Birgitt Overesch and his deputy Karl-Heinz Brauer as well as members of the board of the town twinning association. A special one, as the end of the war and the associated occupation ended 80 years ago. For the first time, the mayor of Rheinewas asked to make a speech.
The atrocities that were committed on German soil and by German perpetrators should never be forgotten, said Peter Lüttmann. That is why it is so important that Germans and Dutch people have come together in mourning, remembrance and hope.
“For me, the town twinning between Borne and Rheine is a living sign that reconciliation is possible.” The two cities have been close friends for over 40 years. School exchanges, meetings between clubs, discussions at eye level – all of this creates trust and understanding.
“80 to 85 years ago, Nazi Germany was the occupying power in the Netherlands and responsible for much suffering,” said Bornes Mayor Jan Pierik in his speech, looking back. In Germany, it took many decades and a lot of courage to come to terms with these very dark sides. In the Netherlands, too, the resentment ran deep and it took a lot of time to overcome emotions.
“Ultimately, we are the people who can take important steps here. A very striking example of this is our town twinning, which has linked Borne and Rheine for more than 40 years in the areas of administration, culture, sport, education and entertainment. This euroregional bond is close and strong and thus one of the many cornerstones of the European peace and prosperity project as it was built after the Second World War.
“I see the fact that you are speaking now and that we will soon be laying flowers at the monument as a commitment to peace and as confirmation of our joint commitment to security and justice in and outside Europe,” said Pierik, addressing Rheines mayor.
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