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nsdap-the-celebrations-in-the-life-of-the-ss-family

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The Life Turn<strong>in</strong>g Po<strong>in</strong>tYouth celebrat<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong>ir turn<strong>in</strong>g 14 years <strong>of</strong> age and <strong>the</strong>ir consequent <strong>in</strong>duction <strong>in</strong>to <strong>the</strong> youth organisations <strong>of</strong> Germany.At <strong>the</strong> age <strong>of</strong> 10 years, and aga<strong>in</strong> at <strong>the</strong> age <strong>of</strong> 14 years, <strong>the</strong> young German takes important steps for <strong>the</strong>ir future.They make <strong>the</strong>ir first promise at 10, and swear <strong>the</strong>ir first oath <strong>of</strong> obedience to The Leader at 14. They alsobecome members <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> appropriate political organisations. There <strong>the</strong>y will be educated with<strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> circle <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ircomrades, which will enable <strong>the</strong>m to swear <strong>the</strong>ir f<strong>in</strong>al oath to The Leader. These two important days <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>life</strong> <strong>of</strong><strong>the</strong> young boys and girls will become annual <strong>celebrations</strong> for <strong>the</strong>ir National Socialist families.The church chooses <strong>the</strong>se ages <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> children for <strong>the</strong>ir first communion and confirmation. But a great amount <strong>of</strong>attention and expectations <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> child centres on <strong>the</strong> new suit, <strong>the</strong> new dre<strong>ss</strong>, <strong>the</strong> new prayer book, <strong>the</strong> presentfrom <strong>the</strong> godparents. The 10 year old will understand hardly anyth<strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> happen<strong>in</strong>gs <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> church, and <strong>the</strong> 14year old will understand not much more.But <strong>the</strong> son and <strong>the</strong> daughter <strong>of</strong> a National Socialist parent will know exactly what is happen<strong>in</strong>g to <strong>the</strong>m, whenon <strong>the</strong> 19th <strong>of</strong> April, <strong>the</strong> even<strong>in</strong>g before The Leader's birthday, wear<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> smart and beautiful uniform <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>Young Folk or <strong>the</strong> Young Maidens, after <strong>the</strong> s<strong>in</strong>g<strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong> a solemn song and listen<strong>in</strong>g to <strong>the</strong> comradely speech <strong>of</strong><strong>the</strong>ir Section Leader, <strong>the</strong>y all proclaim toge<strong>the</strong>r with thousands <strong>of</strong> o<strong>the</strong>rs <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> Reich:”I promise to do my duty <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> German Young Folk / Young Maidens with love and loyalty to The Leader and toour flag, so help me God."When <strong>the</strong> boy proclaims this, he sees a new world light up to which he now belongs, a world <strong>of</strong> Armydrums, trumpets, march<strong>in</strong>g comrades, flags, and Leaders.The Oath Of Allegiance To The LeaderThis Oath was taken by Henry Simmoleit when he jo<strong>in</strong>ed <strong>the</strong> Hitler Youth at 14 years <strong>of</strong> age. The Citation is dated 28thMarch, 1943. Many Oaths were taken at <strong>the</strong> time <strong>of</strong> Adolf Hitler's birthday, 19/20th <strong>of</strong> AprilThe parents stand by and are happy that <strong>the</strong>y were able to give to The Leader <strong>the</strong> best birthday present <strong>the</strong>y could

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