The Minister of Defense participated in the 75th anniversary ceremony at Hopseidet
On Saturday, Minister of Defense Frank Bakke-Jensen (H) took part in a commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the tragedy at Hopseidet in Finnmark.
On May 6, 1945, just before World War II was over, six Norwegians were killed by German soldiers on Hopseidet in Lebesby and Gamvik municipalities.
“I hope that the incidents at Hopseidet will leave lasting traces with the authorities and government officials in all teams, from villages to cities and capital, so that we never again treat the victims of abuse in such a way. That we see those who have given everything”, says the Minister of Defense in a press release.
Bakke-Jensen says he looks forward to remembering what happened to the bereaved and affected.
“The killings on Hopseidet will not be forgotten”, the minister says.
The ceremony started on Saturday morning with a memorial march from Hopseidet in Gamvik municipality to the memorial monument for the victims.
At the memorial service, there were speeches and the laying of wreaths by the Minister of Defense, Mayor Alf Normann Hansen in Gamvik Municipality and Mayor Sigurd Rafaelsen in Lebesby Municipality.
“The tragedy at Hopseidet was meaningless, devoid of military value. It becomes even more meaningless because everyone knew that peace was only a few days away. The tragedy in Hopseidet was going to define the consequences of the war for the local population”, Bakke-Jensen said, among other things.
In the afternoon, a memorial service was held in Hop Church on Skjånes for invited guests and wreath-laying at the burial site.
© NTB Scanpix / #Norway Today
