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The scarf presented to departing border guards. |
Abgang, or leaving the
service, was a ceremony in which departing soldiers were presented a
special scarf that depicted aspects of their border service. Because a large amount
of the Grenztruppen enlisted soldiers were18 month conscripts, each year a number of
the drafted soldiers would leave service at the same time. The scarf and
ceremony was a formal recognition of their service. It was no doubt a day
the numerous drafted soldies looked forward to
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Abgang 83 The number represents the year (1983) this group left military service. In this picture happy and exiting members of Abgang 83 who were soldiers in 1st Co., 1st Bn., 24th Border Regiment pose for a picture after being presented their service scarfs. Home was just a train ticket away! - photo by Holger Mertens
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| For more pictures visit Holger Mertens site at www.grenztruppen.de | ||
