Brunssum, The Netherlands – On Monday, 11 October 2021, the Commander of Joint Force Command Brunssum (JFCBS), General Jörg Vollmer, hosted the traditional annual German Reception on the occasion of the 31st anniversary of the reunification of Germany on 3 October 1990.
He welcomed guests from the Headquarters, surrounding military entities and other institutions in the area amongst them were two special dignitaries, which paid a working visit to the Headquarters earlier the same day.
This wall didn't fall – it was the people making it fall!
Lieutenant General Andreas Marlow, Commander 1 German/Netherlands Corps (1GNC), met General Jӧrg Vollmer earlier that day using the opportunity for the two Generals to discuss NATO's deterrence and defence and the role of the NRF in ensuring Alliance security.
Headquartered in Münster, Germany and two other locations in the Netherlands, 1GNC is a truly multinational formation dating back to the mid-1990s. As one of NATO's nine High Readiness Force Headquarters, 1GNC has the ability to command up to 60,000 troops at short notice, including land, sea and air elements. The headquarters regularly assumes the role of stand-by Land Component Command of the NATO Response Force (NRF).
Later the day the Commander hosted the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany in the Netherlands, Dr. Cyrill Jean Nunn. Dr. Nunn has started working as the Ambassador of Germany in the Netherlands since September 2021, this was his first visit at the NATO JFC Headquarters in Brunssum. Amongst other topics subsequently touched upon, a comprehensive briefing by the Commander emphasized the role and responsibilities of JFC Brunssum in connection to defense planning, enhanced Forward Presence, the NATO Response Force and HQs activities in the field of partnership & cooperation.
After welcoming the entire guests, the Commander took the chance to take them on a journey back in time. Back to the Cold War years and the collapse of the Iron Curtain – reminding that for some it is own memories for many younger ones amongst it is already history.
Describing the importance of German Reunification and celebrating the German Unity Day General Vollmer made clear that: "This wall didn't fall – it was the people making it fall!"
Using the momentum of that special time for sure – but the General underlined, this was only possible as in the decades passed before all NATO nations stood shoulder by shoulder with Germany. This was at least then preparing the ground for the German people on both sides of the wall to make use of that maybe unique historic chance to reunite their nation.
Reminding that, the Commander ended his speech stating: "Freedom should not be taken for granted!"
The German Army Music Corps from Kassel played an arrangement of military music at the end of the reception, thus providing a dignified finale to the evening.