Raindorf and Kagenhof's fire brigades celebrate 125 years of courage and community
A Deep-Rooted Culture of Helping Others in Times of Need: Raindorf and Kagenhof Celebrate 125 Years of Volunteer Firefighting
On Saturday evening, the volunteer fire departments of Raindorf and Kagenhof—two districts of the municipality of Veitsbronn—marked their 125th anniversary with a ceremonial gala. Numerous dignitaries from politics and public life paid tribute to the historic significance and tireless dedication of the first responders. It was on March 24, 1901, that 24 men made the farsighted decision to organize fire protection for their village on a collective basis.
Chairwoman Maria Waber and her deputy, Daniel Haffner, opened the evening with a look back at the remarkable progress made over the past decades. The prestigious guest list underscored the fire brigade's standing in the community. District Administrator Bernd Obst, serving as the patron of the anniversary, presented the jubilee brigade with a ceremonial sash for their standard, along with a barrel of beer for the upcoming celebrations. Bavaria's Commissioner for Volunteer Work, Gaby Schmidt, emphasized in her speech that voluntary engagement sets an indispensable example for society. Veitsbronn's mayor, Marco Kistner, also extended warm congratulations and pledged his personal support for the major summer festival weekend—where he promised to work shifts behind the bar.
Further words of recognition came from state parliamentarian Werner Stieglitz and District Fire Chief Frank Bauer, both of whom praised the camaraderie and constant readiness of the firefighters. As a token of gratitude, each speaker received a personalized clock crafted from solid slate.
The undoubted highlight of the event was a closely guarded honor: Markus Stade, who joined the fire department in 1986 and shaped the association as its chair from 2006 to 2024, was appointed honorary board member and honorary member to thunderous applause. The laudatory speech highlighted his relentless behind-the-scenes efforts and his success in formally registering the organization as an incorporated association.
A memorial ceremony was held at the war memorial by the Evangelical church, where, following a wreath-laying, three salute shots were fired in tribute to the fallen.
The fire brigade also opened a new chapter in its history: supporters unveiled a brand-new group portrait, a gift to the department. The painting depicts all current active and passive members and will now take pride of place in the fire station for decades to come. After further greetings from neighboring and allied fire brigades, the festive evening drew to a close with a lavish buffet.
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