Siegfried Steger, der letzte der „Puschtra Buibm“ ist heimgegangen

Report on RAI South Tyrol, February 21, 2026. With deep sorrow and profound gratitude, the South Tyrolean Riflemen's Association bids farewell to freedom fighter Siegfried Steger, the "Puschtra Bui" (Puster Valley Boy). With his passing, the last of the four "Puschtra Buibm" (Puster Valley Boys) is gone – after Sepp Forer, Heinrich Oberlechner, and Heinrich Oberleiter, a chapter of South Tyrolean history now comes to a close. Siegfried Steger was born on October 24, 1939, in Mühlen in Taufers – a time when the wounds of the Option Agreement, disenfranchisement, and radical Italianization were still raw. He belonged to that generation of young South Tyroleans who were unwilling to silently accept injustice. At the age of 22, he decided to stand up for Tyrol in the fight for freedom – out of conviction, love of his homeland, and a sense of responsibility. Together with Sepp Forer, Heinrich Oberlechner, and Heinrich Oberleiter, he became a symbol of the resistance of those years. The four "Puschtra Buibm" (Puster Valley Boys) still stand today as a symbol of a generation that acted at great personal risk. They were persecuted, convicted, and stigmatized—yet they remained true to their convictions. Siegfried Steger had to pay a price for this that few can fathom: lifelong exile. Far from his homeland, far from the Puster Valley, far from his family. It was particularly painful for him that he wasn't even allowed to attend his parents' funerals. A son denied the chance to say goodbye—that is a tragedy that transcends any political judgment. With his death, the voice of the last of the four falls silent. What remains is a life path marked by steadfastness, a willingness to sacrifice, and an unwavering connection to Tyrol. Today, South Tyrol lives in peace and prosperity. But the path to this point was not a given. It was fraught with tensions, conflicts, and the courage of those who were prepared to make personal sacrifices. History will judge the methods and means employed – but it cannot deny that it was men like Siegfried Steger who acted out of a deep sense of responsibility for their homeland. "The South Tyrolean Riflemen's Association bows in gratitude before a fellow countryman who dedicated his life to the conviction that freedom and dignity are non-negotiable. Siegfried Steger was the last of the Puster Valley Boys. Now they are reunited. May he rest in peace," said Major Christoph Schmid, State Commander of the South Tyrolean Riflemen's Association. As soon as further information regarding the funeral services is available, the South Tyrolean Riflemen's Association will provide updates and offer an opportunity to pay their respects together. Follow us on our channels! ▶ https://schuetzen.com ▶   / schuetzen   ▶   / schuetzenbund   ▶   / schuetzenbund   ▶ https://t.me/schuetzen ▶ https://x.com/schuetzentirol ▶ https://threads.net/@schuetzenbund ▶ https://flickr.com/photos/schuetzenbund ▶ https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbA9...