German War Graves Commission
Organisation responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of German war graves / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The German War Graves Commission (German: Volksbund Deutsche Kriegsgräberfürsorge, pronounced [ˈfɔlksbʊnt ˈdɔʏtʃə ˈkʁiːksɡʁɛːbɐˌfyːɐ̯zɔʁɡə] ⓘ) is responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of German war graves in Europe and North Africa.[2] Its objectives are acquisition, maintenance and care of German war graves; tending to next of kin; youth and educational work; and preservation of the memory to the sacrifices of war and despotism. Former head of the Bundeswehr Wolfgang Schneiderhan was elected President of the organisation in 2016, succeeding SPD politician Markus Meckel. The President of Germany, currently Frank-Walter Steinmeier (SPD), is the organisation's patron.
Volksbund Deutsche Kriegsgräberfürsorge | |
Abbreviation | VDK |
---|---|
Formation | 16 December 1919 |
Legal status | Association (e. V.) |
Purpose | To locate, maintain, care for German war graves outside of Germany |
Headquarters | Kassel, Hesse, Germany |
Region served | Europe and North Africa (46 countries) |
Membership | 82,030 (2019)[1] |
Official language | German |
President | Wolfgang Schneiderhan |
Main organ | Until 2012: Stimme & Weg, from 2013 on: frieden |
Budget | EUR 51,784,000 (2019) |
Staff | 556 (2019) |
Volunteers | 8,000 (2013) |
Website | volksbund |