| An article from the website of the Moenchengladbach describing the events that took place at JHQ in July 2013 to celebrate the closure of the Garrison. See below for English translation of the article!
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| British say “Goodbye”
Closing ceremony, from 11th-14th July 2013, with military parade on the Kapuzinerplatz and an Open Day with Fireworks Display in JHQ. Almost 60 years after it was opened the Headquarters in Rheindahlen finally closed its gates. The British are saying “Goodbye” and returning to their homeland. The three day ceremony begins on Thursday, 11th July 2013, in JHQ with a parade and “Last Post” ceremony which could be attended by interested civilians. From 20:30 until 22:00, in front of the “Big House”, the Band of the Prince of Wales Division and a German Military Band, the Heeresmusikkorps 300, will entertain the spectators with music. They will be supported by the bagpipes of the Crossed Swords Band. On Friday, 12th July 2013, the British will say farewell in the town center of Moenchengladbach with the usual pomp and ceremony, with a parade, at 11:00, on the Kapuzinerplatz in front of the Mayor, Norbert Bude, and the citizens of the town. Spectators can enjoy listening to military music whilst sat on a specially erected grandstand. At the end of the ceremony a high ranking British military officer will be invited to the Town Hall to sign the “Goldene Buch der Stadt”. On Saturday, 13th July 2013, the British are inviting all to a “party in the park” in the Joint Headquarters (JHQ). From 13:00 to 22:00 there will be a Volksfest with music, shows and demonstrations of equipment. The party will close with a big Firework display. The entry to JHQ will be permitted through the Hardter Strasse entrance. The celebrations will end on Sunday, 14’th July 2013, with a German-British Religious Service in the Saint Boniface Church, during which the Mayor, Norbert Bude, and a representative of the British Army will read sermons. (pmg/sp) Translation by Fred Williams |