Commemoration at the Laubhof: Kirchweih inspires remembrance of fallen soldiers

Commemoration at the Laubhof: Kirchweih inspires remembrance of fallen soldiers

The annual church fair for the Ulrich family took place at Laubhof on October 13, 2025. The festive event began with a service in the small chapel, led by Pastor Daniel Götzfried and musically provided by the Poppenricht guitar group under the direction of Günter Vogl. In his speech, Pastor Götzfried encouraged those present to give their concerns a place and to trust them. This message fell amidst the tranquil setting, surrounded by the Ulrich family graves and a well-kept military cemetery.

The military cemetery is a quiet place of remembrance for three fallen German soldiers from the last days of the war in 1945. The graves have name plaques for Lance Corporal Xaver Schindler, Lieutenant Hermann Brausch and Corporal Dr. Dr. H. Hugo Kelleter marked. These soldiers died during a fierce firefight on April 22, 1945, when American troops attempted to take Laubhof. Despite the dramatic circumstances, the place is valued as a space of remembrance and remembrance.

The story of the fallen

The events of April 22, 1945 are characterized by chaos and fear. At this point, the Laubhof was occupied by German troops, while a tank division tried to stop the advancing Americans. This led to a fierce battle in which the Laubhof was subjected to eight direct artillery hits. Lance Corporal Schindler, Lieutenant Brausch and Corporal Kelleter suffered tragic fates that were documented by identifying their bodies using dog tags and pay books. After the fighting, the courtyard building was searched by American soldiers, while family members and evacuees had to stay in the basement.

The graves of the three soldiers were buried with honors in the area around the Laubhof. The relatives received the news of the soldiers' return home from other returnees, as there was no functioning postal connection at that time. A moving moment was Mrs. Kelleter's visit in the fall of 1945, when she drove from Cologne to Laubhof to visit her husband's grave. She was instrumental in the repatriation of his body. Today, relatives regularly visit the graves to remember their loved ones.

Remember and commemorate

The importance of remembering the war dead is underlined by the German War Graves Commission. This organization is not only dedicated to the dead of both world wars, but also remembers the victims of tyranny. They should be given compassion and remembrance. According to the Volksbund, around 500,000 names will be added to a database in the coming years that will serve as a documentation archive.

The aim of the data collection is to document the graves of war victims and to give people the opportunity to search for missing relatives. It also recognizes that the politics and warfare of the time left deep wounds and that each individual's death should be viewed as a reminder for peace. The Volksbund is actively committed to reconciliation and a united Europe. These efforts underline the importance of remembering and coming to terms with history for future generations.

In summary, it can be seen that the church consecration celebration is not only a celebration of the Ulrich family, but also a valuable opportunity for the community to pause and remember the past. The village of Laubhof remains an important place of remembrance, embodying both the memories of the fallen soldiers and the hope for peace and reconciliation.

Hahnbach reports that...
Volksbund reports on the importance of commemoration...