Staff Battalion 6, the traditional body of the Kaiserschützen, celebrated its Tradition Day on September 13, 2019 at the Innsbruck Standschützenkaserne.
Battalion Commander Colonel Peter Nuderscher welcomed the following guests of honor: Member of the National Council Hermann Gahr, Deputy City Police Commander Colonel Reinhard Moser, Commander of the Innsbruck Professional Fire Brigade Helmut Hager, Georg Habsburg-Lotringen and Colonel Anton Frisch as representative of the Tyrol Military Command. The battalion commander emphasized the importance of cultivating tradition for one’s own identification and motivation in the civilian, military and political spheres. He recalled the great sacrifice and achievements of the Tyrolean Kaiserschützen in the early stages of the First World War. Colonel Nuderscher concluded his welcome address by thanking the conscripts of the staff battalion for their commitment and achievements.
Member of the National Council Hermann Gahr conveyed the greetings of the state of Tyrol and thanked the soldiers for their service to Austria. “Since 1955, we have been living in a country that can live in peace, freedom and security – the citizens can feel safe,” he said at the beginning. We can learn from tradition that this cannot be taken for granted. He also called for respect and solidarity with the Austrian Armed Forces in view of the current challenges facing the country. The soldiers have done a great deal for the state of Tyrol over many years and guarantee stability around the clock. Gahr called on everyone to work together on the future, to keep an eye on the big picture and to strengthen the status of the Austrian Armed Forces in society. Among the many delegations from shooting and traditional associations, the Kaiserschützenbund was particularly well represented. The Kaiserschützenbund Tirol is the traditional association of the three k.u.k. Imperial Rifle Regiments of the First World War, whose history and origins are closely linked to Tyrol. This association was founded in 1921 by former officers of these units. The musical accompaniment was provided by the Military Music Tyrol under the direction of bandmaster Colonel Johannes Apfolterer.
