24th September 2006 - a sunny, late summer day in the idyllic "Biezemhof " near Aalter, Belgium.

Traditionally, every year at the end of September, former forced labourers, their relatives, friends and those who are interested, meet for conversation, discussion and an exhibition but mostly to together honour those who died.

Over 150 guests attended, having been invited by the Association of the Former Forced Labourers of the ´REIMAHG´. This year, for the first time participants came from the United Kingdom, France and the Netherlands.

This encounter, organised in conjunction with our Association, is a once in a lifetime opportunity for historical research together with the testimonies of those who survived.
As an authentic source, their knowledge about factual events is invaluable.

Among the numerous German guests present were the mayors of Hummelshain and Langenorla as well as Dr. K. W. Müller, who had specific and detailed questions for the former forced labourers of the ´REIMAHG´.

Even with the different languages, the conversations were intense and the answers given very helpful for him.

We had questions too.

With the aid of a large 3-D model of one of the camps, the survivors explained to us with great skill the living conditions in the barracks, their location and function, and described the buildings and the forest surrounding the camp.

Paul Gennart, veteran of the 16th Fusilier Battalion, stationed around the ´REIMAHG´ in 1945, provided information concerning details of the unit´s uniform, details of which will be incorporated into our new exhibition.

Our Association presented the guests with the extensive programme that will take place during next year´s commemorations.

There is of course much more that can be told about this day. Was it the perhaps the cultural programme or maybe the delicious meal that made for a perfect day…

When it came time to leave, everyone was sure that they would meet again next year, in May, at the commemoration near the Walpersberg Mountain.