Reinhard von Bronewski

I was born December 1947 in Berlin-Zehlendorf, only two years after World War II. My formative years were spent side-by-side with GIs in West Berlin's U.S. Occupation Sector. I'm still living next to the U-Bahn (subway) station 'Onkel-Toms-Huette'. It's about 600 yards away of the so-called 'BB' housing area. Almost all American installations were located in my vicinity. It was 'normal' to me to see American troops daily marching or driving by our home. The Grunewald was about 300 yards away only. It also was 'normal' to watch and hear their military practice activities nearby. The maneuver sound of countless mock battles (blank ammo), day times & nights, monotone life firing noise coming from Keerans Range, but also the strong engines sound of heavy tanks still is lasting in my ears. Professionally, I served 26 years as a West Berlin Police Officer. Eleven of those years, which I consider most interesting and productive, I worked with U.S. Soldiers of the 287th Military Police Company. During that period, I experienced innumerable interesting events which stamped my life indelibly. Many of those experiences were directly tied to the Allied presence in my City and the unnatural political and military division of Berlin. The Cold War was nearly a half century old when, on November 9, 1989, the Berlin Wall unexpectedly opened - a sure sign of international communism's demise and the triumph of freedom. On October 3, 1990, Germany was reunited and Berlin would become its capital, once again. The Western Allies, with Berlin Brigade serving behind the Iron Curtain, finally had won the Cold War! Angela, my wife, & I are married since March 1976. On November 30, 2002, our son Michael & his wife Nicole presented us an beautiful granddaughter. It's Jacqueline who we call 'Jami'. That cute girl is our sunshine. When she smiles all life's troubles seem to go away. My hobbies are my family, the website work, bicycle riding & hiking in the Grunewald, photographing, and my top goal to be a fine Grandpa. This NON-PROFIT MEMORY WEBSITE is dedicated to Veterans and friends of the legendary Berlin Brigade. My thanks to all who helped make this memory website possible; especially my sister Astrid who, more than seven years ago asked me to create this website, my friend & webmaster Heinz a true computer and technology wizard, and the many Veterans who submitted little stories & photos of their Berlin service. Without their assistance and encouragement, this website wouldn't exist. Most of them you can find on my special website section: 'My Buddies' Corner With the website's growth, it's gained in popularity; especially among those familiar with Berlin and with an interest in the Cold War. After 7 years existence, this website had 200.000 counted visitors! What a great result which my friend Heinz & I never have expected. Here I also must mention the amazing feedbacks in my Guestbook. Do not miss to read some of it, by this way you maybe find back a former duty comrade. In 1994, the U.S. Army's Berlin Brigade left my City but its invaluable and unforgettable service remains in my mind and in those of many Berliners and Americans. Thank you for visiting my website. Please feel free to add your comments and suggestions as to how it may be enriched or improved. I'm always grateful to hear from you. The whole photo-story about the German-American Friendship Bank you will find here From Summer 2004 until end of 2009, I was member of BUSMVA (BERLIN U.S. MILITARY VETERANS ASSOCIATION). I never have asked for this membership but veterans have surprised me with that membership gift. I really felt honored to be one of yours! Many THANKS, especially to John Parmenter! But because of the attitude of BUSMVA's leadership I've quit my membership now. I do not blame other members of BUSMVA, most of them I know are fine human beings. We stay in touch & for them I continue my website work. Berlin warriors, - let's keep the good memories alive! In memory of Dr. Stephen L. Bowman

The second item concerns BUSMVA member Reinhard von Bronewski. There was an article about him in the Berlin Morgenpost describing his efforts to keep alive the memories of the Americans in Berlin through his website (www.berlin-brigade.de). Give the site a visit. Reinhard emphasized in the article how important it is that Berliners - and all Germans - never forget the role the American military played in keeping Berlin free during the Cold War. He did us all proud. I am already looking forward to seeing old friends when we meet again in Valley Forge next June. In the meantime, I'll try my best to drink some Gluehwine at the Christmas markets for all of you. Warm thougths from cold Berlin, Steve Bowman, Director-Europe © BUSMVA OBSERVER

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U.S. TV- Teams in Berlin

	February 2004, Col (Ret) Ollie North, moderator from Fox News History Channel, section: 'War movies', & his TV movie producer, Mr. Greg Johnson, have visited Berlin to create a new War movie show. I was invited to attend & was interviewed in a suite of the Grand Westin hotel. In April 2004, the movie: 'Berlin: Standoff behind the Iron Curtain' was aired the first time in the U.S.A. The show had amazing feedbacks in the United States. For me it was & still is an big honor to be a small part in that interesting movie show, together with popular American veterans like Col. (Ret) Gail Halvorsen, Berlin's lengendary 'Candy Bomber' pilot. In Summer of 2005, U.S.A. TV movie producer, Mr. Dan Bree, National Geographic Channel, / 'Megastructures', also came to Berlin for another documentary movie show production. Dan Bree visited me like Greg Johnson at my home & some days later I had to respond another interesting interview at Bernauer Strasse, right next to original fragments of the infamous Berlin Wall. (photos) His TV show : 'Megastructures -The Berlin Wall' was aired in the U.S.A. in March 2006. In October 2006, the German TV channels N24, TV Berlin & Vox have aired this interesting movie in German language, German title: 'Die Mauer, -Todesstreifen in Berlin'. It was a lot of fun for me & a great experience to have got the opportunity to work with both American TV teams! - MANY THANKS- to Ollie North, Greg Johnson, Dan Bree & their great crews!

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On November 10, 2006, Ocilla / Georgia, members of
AMERICAN LEGION POST 100,
have honored my memory work with a very special gift.
Together with the Berlin Brigade veterans,
JOHN PARMENTER & LLOYD "GENE" KELLER,
-HONOR BRICKS- with our names were placed at the Veterans
Memorial walkway.

-THANK YOU- to Berlin veteran Buddy Green and his wife Sylvia,
Bob Anderson, commander of Post 100, and his legionnaires.

the story & more photos



















This is another example for love & gratefulness! This painting is created by Berlin veteran Ray Hansen! Source has been the first photo of this section!
Also see his Honor Page:



Feedbacks on BUSMVA's



AMAZING!!!
Posted By: John Parmenter
Date: Wednesday, 12 August 2009, at 7:08 p.m.
Most who frequent this Board are familiar with website www.Berlin-Brigade.de/. What's amazing is that it continually improves over time. Whenever one thinks it couldn't get any better, it always does! The website provides a complex, in-depth account of U.S. military's Berlin experience plus current events in the formerly Divided City. It's loaded with photographs, maps, diagrams, insignia items, Veterans' stories, etc. Anyone with an interest in Cold War history can find a wealth of information. There are other good Berlin websites, both U.S. & German, but none compare favorably to www.Berlin-Brigade.de/. We can all thank BUSMVA Brother/web master Reinhard von Bronewski whose time, energy, & personal funds continually enrich the legacy of American Veterans of Berlin. Surely, no one person has done more to honor them (us!) than has Reinhard. Anyone who spends an hour or so reviewing www.Berlin-Brigade.de will find it AMAZING!

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Posted by Fred Sanford in response to John Parmenter's ' Amazing':
Date: BUSMVA Bulletin Board, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2009
I agree John. Reinhards website is amazing. He is constantly up dating it with new stories from Berlin Vets and also great pictures from the past and also the current Berlin sites. During the 2006 reunion I was able to meet Reinhard and his wonderful family. This being my first time back since my unit left in January 1963; he was kind enough to show me sites that were there during my unit's time in Berlin. He went above and beyond to make my first time back a memorable experience.

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Posted by Frank Mellon in response to John Parmenter's ' Amazing':
Date: BUSMVA Bulletin Board, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2009
Brother Berliners, Reinhard has really kept everyone of us informed of all the happenings that have taken place over the years since most of us left Berlin for other pastures. I think that Reinhard deserves a great round of applause and all the trimmings that goes with for all the hard work and time that he has devoted to keep us and the world informed as to what has transpired in Berlin over the years after each one of us returned to the USA. Keep up the great work Reinhard. Frank 54-55/76-78

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Posted by Buddy Green in response to John Parmenter's 'Amazing':
Date: BUSMVA Bulletin Board, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2009
Thanks Reinhard for all you have done for us Berlin Veterans and Post 100 wants to Thank you and all the Berlin Veterans that have been honored with a Honor Brick, at the Ocilla/Irwin County Veterans Memorial Site., all Berlin Vets are Great....buddy

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Posted: by Earl Bonenblust in response to John Parmenter's 'Amazing':
Date: BUSMVA Bulletin Board, Friday, Aug. 14, 2009,
I had the pleasure and honor of meeting Reinhard, his lovely wife and Andrea in September 2007 when I visited Berlin for the first time since I left it in late 1967. Reinhard took me on a guided tour of many areas of interest in Berlin, he was the perfect tour guide. Upon our return to his home, his wife had a delicious meal awaiting us. Earlier that week, I had bought 2 books that Reinhard had written, which I brought to his home, and had him autograph them for me. Reinhard, thank you for your making me feel so welcome on my Berlin trip. Earl Bonenblust, A-2-6 1967

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Posted: by Gene Keller in response to John Parmenter's 'Amazing':
Date: BUSMVA Bulletin Board, Friday, Aug. 14, 2009,
AMAZING!! You bet it is! It is amazing that Reinhard keeps coming up with new and exciting photos and stories to satisfy our hunger for the memories of our youth. It is amazing how he so unselfishly gives to us his time and energy and resources so that we may enjoy ourselves. It is amazing how his family allows us to take up so much of his time. It is amazing how he just keeps up his work and ignores the few here who for some reason choose to ignore him and his work. I feel sorry for those few who cannot enjoy what he has created.Maybe one day they will see the light. It is amazing how one man can do so much for so many. I thank him for all that he does and I am proud to call him my friend and brother. Keep up the great work Reinhard, for there are thousands of us who appreciate every word and every picture in your 'GARDEN OF MEMORIES', the old Blue Spader, Gene

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Posted by Ed Parr in response to John Parmenter's 'Amazing':
Date: BUSMVA Bulletin Board, Friday, Aug. 14, 2009
My wish is that Reinhard and his lovely wife Angela will visit the USA. I for one will escort him in the NYC/NJ area and show him the sights. And I'm sure other members of BUSMVA will do the same. I am not ashamed or will not apologize to the world about this nation like our supreme leader does. Reinhard this is a great nation and I hope and pray you will visit us. Regards, ED

It is strictly prohibited to publish written contents or photos of this website without my written permission. All images on my website are property of their respective owner, all of them have copyrights! Prohibition of commercial use! The photos are from the private collection of -Berlin-Brigade.de. Many are selfmade, some others are gifts from friends or BBDE Veterans. I like to share the images with all my BBDE website visitors but it's just an ideological matter only! If a copyright should have been hurt by us, please send us a E-Mail and the appropriate images are deleted immediately.