In the middle of the green heart of the Wittringer forest stands the memorial.
It is a commemorative ensemble that reflects the changing political culture of commemoration in our society. A first initiative to build a war memorial by the local Landwehr and Kriegerverein existed in the years 1895 and 1905.
In 1929, an action committee is formed, which advises on the construction of the memorial. All parties with the exception of the KPD take part in it. The action committee finally agreed and decided to build the memorial with the help of the city. The laying of the cornerstone was celebrated on June 15, 1933, the inauguration on June 17, 1934.
During this time, the memorial serves for the glorification of National Socialism. It is to preserve the honor of the dead of the First World War and serve as a call for generations of victory. In the first place it is also directed against the archenemy: against the European neighbor France.
With the end of the Second World War, the memorial also loses its status as a symbol of National Socialism. Henceforth, it should be a memorial, reminiscent of the dead of the war. This is illustrated by lettering: "In honor of the dead of the war 1939-1945"!
Since 1952 the memorial day of the dead is commemorated here. The memorial is extended on May 8, 1987 by a stele. It contains excerpts from the speech by Federal President von Weizsäcker on 8 May 1985.
Since 1988, the commemoration of the city of Gladbeck for the victims of war and fascism takes place every year on 9 November - the date of the Reichsprogramnacht. On May 8, 1999, the memorial will be expanded again. As a result of a four-year discourse, a memorial to deserters is being erected.
On the memorial itself, the names of the fallen Gladbeck soldiers are no longer read.