Volkstrauertag ~ German Remembrance Day Ceremony
The Volkstrauertag Ceremony is held in conjunction with the Consul General of Germany to commemorate the 187 German soldiers who died in Canada as prisoners of war during the 1st and 2nd world wars.
Wreaths are laid on behalf of various German-Canadian and Veterans associations, local politicians and the Consul-General of the Federal Republic of Germany.
You are invited to join us
Sunday, November 16, 2025
at 2:30 p.m. Woodland Cemetery
119 Arlington Blvd., Kitchener
Memorial site for German soldiers who died in Canada as Prisoners of War
Location: German War Graves area of the Cemetery
(see layout map for the location) Google map/directions link to cemetery
PROGRAM/SERVICE
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Musical Opening by Transylvania Hofbrau Band, under the direction of Ms. Andrea Emrich
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Music by the Concordia Choirs (Choir & Choral Society), under the direction of Martin Anderle & Professor Beverly Gottvald
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Opening Remarks by the Master of Ceremonies, Harry Drung, President GCRS
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Address by Anne Wagner-Mitchell, Consul General, Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany, Toroonto
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Prayer by Rev. Davi Schmidt - Pastor Bethel Evangelical Lutheran Church
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“Amazing Grace” played by Andrew Hutfluss, piper
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Laying of wreaths by Consul General, representatives of the Federal, Provincial, Regional and Municipal Government, veterans and representatives of German Clubs and German Associations
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Last Post and Zapfenstreich (tattoo), played by Ron Schatz, bugler
Should you or your organization wish to lay a wreath, contact German-Canadian Remembrance Society.
After the Service - Kaffee & Kuchen
You are invited to join us for coffee, cake and social. The location for this year's Kaffeeklatsch will be hosted by
The Transylvania Club
Transylvania Club celebrations are located at the
Alpine Club: 464 Maple Ave, Kitchener, ON N2H 4X5 Google Map Link to the Alpine Club
Donation of $5.00 per person. Your donation helps support the upkeep of the Woodland Cemetery German war graves, as well it contributes to the event's coffee and cake.
Recording
If you are unable to attend in person, return to this page after the event to see a recording. Or, check Facebook feed below for a link
Volkstauertag - Remembrance Day
This public ceremony is a state memorial celebrated each year since 1952. It is one of Germany’s “silent days” to remember their fallen soldiers and victims of tyranny of all nations. The memorial ceremony is held at Woodland Cemetery on the Sunday following Remembrance Day at 2:30 pm. Immediately following the memorial, members are invited to a German Club for coffee and cake (alternating clubs from year to year: Alpine, Concordia, German Candian Hunting & Fishing, Schwaben and Transylvania).
"These are men who risked their lives, serving their country," said Thomas Schultze, consul general of the German government. He asked that people think about solidarity, courage, and hope.
"The annual ceremony is about more than the Germans who perished.
We must nurture the hope that one day, peace will prevail.” Werner Schlueter, past president of the German-Canadian Remembrance Society
Photo: echoworld.com
German Pioneers Day
This public celebration is designed to recognize achievements of German families, people, organizations, businesses and festivals who have made valuable contributions to their communities. Initially, GCRS worked together with the Arbeitsgemeinschaft under the leadership of Gerhard Griebenow.
German Pioneers Day Act, Bill 28 was passed in 1999. The Bill proclaims that in Canada the day after Thanksgiving Day in each year as German Pioneers Day. All are welcome. The official program includes:
- Music by Transylvania Brass Band
- Exhibits & Dancers from various German Clubs and organizations
- Dignitaries from Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Canada
Award recipients include:
2012 Beingessner Family, Bitzer Family, Waterloo Historical Society & City of Berlin/Kitchener (Cityhood)
2013 Ron Schlegel, Joerg Stieber, Preston Scout House Drum & Bugle Band
2014 Concordia Club, Martin Family
2015 Schwaben Club, Wayne Wettlaufer & Hespler Family
2016 Transylvania Club, Ahrens Family & City of Waterloo
2017 Alpine Club, Rumpel Family & Joseph Mausser
2018 Hubertushaus & German Canadian Business Professional Association
2019 Jakob Ritz Printing, Petsche Shoes, Christkindl Market & Ken Seiling
Read the 2019 Program
2020-21 Cancelled due to Covid-19 pandemic.
2022 Concordia Club Steve Schatz & Susan Frim Kachik
2023 John Frim, Ingo Schoppel & Ludolph Family
2024 The Honourable Peter M. Boehm & Doerr/Dare Family
2025 Rev. Michael Kraus & Bingemans
2025 Photos of German Pioneers Day
2025 Photos of German Pioneers Day
See below for 2024 photo gallery.
THANK YOU to the Friedrich Schiller Foundation for German-Canadian Culture
for their ongoing financial support of our German-Canadian community,
including our related events and activites.
