Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany

Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany On February 12, 2011, a letter from the mayor of Berlin / Steglitz, Mr. Norbert Kopp, has surprised me. It's writing has made me speachless, so to speak. The mayor congratulated me and wrote, that Mr. Christian Wulff, President of the Federal Republic of Germany, has awarded me with the 'Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany'. The president has asked the mayor to present me that ' Medal of Merit' and certificate while an ceremony. This special order or decoration of honor is called ' Verdienstmedaille des Verdienstordens der Bundesrepubik Deutschland ' , also known as ' Bundesverdienstkreuz '. There are 8 'steps' or variants. My one is the first or smallest one in the ' family' of ' Bundesverdienstkreuz ' decorations. All of them show the same symbol, the Red Honor Cross of the Federal Republic of Germany. The top ones usually are dedicated for VIP of foreign countries. In awarding the Order of Merit, the Federal President wishes to draw public attention to achievements that he believes are of particular value to society generally. In my case was it my memory work since 2002 which is dedicated to the men & women of the legendary Berlin Brigade. Followed by my goals to show the veterans that Berlin has not forgotten them & to inform new generations here & there what once has happened in the divided city Berlin during the long Cold War era. The Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany was handed over to me on March 11, 4pm, in Berlin-Steglitz, 'Gutshaus Steglitz' (known as 'Wrangelschloesschen'), while a nice ceremony led by Mayor Mr. Norbert Kopp. This special award is an evidence that also the government of the Federal Republic of Germany is appreciating my intensive memory work for the German-American relationship! My top goal always will be to do everything to help insure that the legendary Berlin Brigade, in our memories, stays alive forever! In company of my wife Angela, my son Michael, his wife Nicole, Jami & Andrea, I have enjoyed that amazing & never expected event of honor! In my thoughts also my veteran friends were close to me. Their fine support, gratefulness & true friendship made this special day for me possible! My THANKS to all of them! Also THANKS again to my sister Astrid who once has pushed me to start that website work & of course to my friend Heinz for his outstanding tireless technical support! Let's keep the good memories alive! --Reinhard--

Feedbacks of my friends

Lloyd -Gene- Keller Reinhard, congratulations on your being awarded the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany (Bundesverdienstkreuz). To have this great honor bestowed upon you by the president of the Federal Republic of Germany should make you very proud. You have earned this prestigious recognition many times over. Jim Osbons reconnection with his old acquaintance from Berlin is just one of the many joys that you have provided over the years. Thank you, my friend and once again, congratulations. Big brother, Gene David & Edwina Henderson Hello my Friend and Brother, I sit here with so much happiness for you because of the event that took place today. This is a fine award for the very finest and honorable man I know. I am very glad that your President and Government chose to recognize you in such a way. Congratulations my Dear Friend--you are very deserving of it. I can see the pride in all of your families faces. Such a fine group you have! I know they love you very dearly. As I have always told you my friend, "Hold your head high and be proud of what you have done in your life" . Not many are like you!! It was a long step from that kid hunting brass in the Grunewald to where you were today. What an Honor just to be your friend. Thank You and congratulations again to a very deserving man. Be proud, my Brother, David COL GAIL HALVORSEN CONGRATULATIONS MY FRIEND!!!! SO WELL DESERVED. VERY EXCITED FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. WONDERFUL REWARD FOR YOUR YEARS OF GREAT WORK BETWEEN OUR NATIONS. I WISH I COULD HAVE BEEN THERE. THE PHOTOS ARE MARVELOUS!! THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SHARING. OUR HERO!!! GRATEFUL GAIL AND LORRAINE Admin / Berlin-Brigade-Memories: What an honor to get such nice words from Berlin's HERO , the legendary CANDYBOMBER ! I'm sure the veterans here are full of pride to read your warm message ! Thank you, dear Gail, also in the name of all my veteran friends ! All the best to you & yours ! -Reinhard- Larry Gustafson Reinhard, Congratulations on your award. Cannot say enough about how deserving you are to get this. Congratulations again. John Parmenter This is GREAT news! As stated on numerous occasions, there's no better history of the U.S. military's Cold War experience in Berlin than www.berlin-brigade.de /. Reinhard von Bronewski deserves the sincere congratulations & appreciation of every American Berlin Veteran. This high honor of the German government is well deserved. Gary Relf Reinhard,congrats on the Bundesverdienstkreuz award! Major Phillip M Johnson Dear Reinhard, what an honor to receive the Bundesverdienstkreuz. I'm very proud for you. You've been a great friend to all of us old Berlin Brigade veterans, and you've worked tirelessly on your wonderful website honoring the Berlin Brigade. It is full of information and pictures of all aspects of the Berlin Brigade. I'll always remember my time in Berlin, and my Police Captain friend, Reinhard Bronewski. I'll forward this to all the old Berlin guys I know. Warmest regards, Phil Jim Corbett Reinhard, no one deserves the award more than you. Congratulations and many thanks for all the fine work you do. Jim 287th, 60-63 Sebby Papa My Dear Reinhard, Congratulations ! If anybody deserves a reward, it is YOU. So I say no, THANK YOU !!! Sebby P.S. It is my honor to call you my friend. John Parmenter CONGRATULATIONS, dear friend! What an honor you received -- what an honor you earned & absolutely deserve! I'm so proud to be associated with you & for you to share this unforgettable moment with me! Thank you for this note, Reinhard! All your labors are coming to fruition. Your fine work is officially recognized by two national governments. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK! Su Amigo, John Rick Bradley Dear Reinhard, Congratulations on receiving The Order of Merit award from Mayor Kopp. I am truly overjoyed and filled with great pride for you and your family. What a great honor! An honor well deserved by a great friend and brother to the Berlin-Brigade Veterans. All of your hard work and endless efforts has not been in vain my friend. As I have stated many times, it has been an honor to know you. You are greatly admired by many and a special friend and brother to all of us. I am so glad that your family and especially, little Jami were able to witness such an honor bestowed upon a wonderful husband, grandfather and friend. Keep up the great work! Andrea Wolf Hello Reinhard ! So many years, so many days and so many hours of hard work! You make so many people happy with your wonderful website. Now you have got the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany. My congratulation for this award of honor! It makes me proud to be your friend. Greetings, your friend Andrea. Mike, Fraggle & Jami Hello Daddy, congratulations that you got the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany. We are very proud of you ! You work so hard and long at your great website and make so many people happy with this "memory garden". So we mean that no one have more deserved this honor that you got yesterday. Your kids, Mike, Fraggle & Jami Fred Sanford Congratulations Reinhard! You deserve it. Your website is indeed a historical treasure. It preserves the memories of all of the Berlin Vets. and records the history of Berlin during the Cold War Period. Through your research you have collected photos of Berlin before the Berlin Brigade and WWII. It is time the your German Government recognize your website. You have perserved Cold War history for us Berlin Vets and as an Historical Education for younger generations. I'm glad to see you are honored. Well Deserved ! -Fred- Rob Pellington Congratulations, Reinhard, mein lieber freund, for a job in progress, and very well done. Dein freund, Rob Buddy Green Hey my Friend, Reinhard, Congratulations, on the award. You are such a Good and Great person, for all the things you have done. As I have said before, I tell people about you here and there and everywhere I go. AL Post100 members Thank you for all you have done for us old Veterans, also our Town people of Ocilla Georgia says Thanks. All of the photos with the award and your Family was Wonderful! Buddy & Sylvia Frank Mellon Brother Reinhard, congratulations on your award for your service to Germany and all the Berlin Veterans. Your historical writings of the history of military personnel in their endeavor to keep the country free and clear. Again, Reinhard, my most sincere congratulations on your great history. I am proud that I was part of the great force stationed in Berlin during those times you have so gracious related the ups and downs of all who served before and after the Iron Curtain (Wall) went up and then came down to open up the rest of Berlin. Frank (1952-55 & 1976-78) David Guerra A Very Well Deserved Congratulations!!!! I was starting to wonder what was happening with you as you had been quiet for quite some time and now we know :) Thank you, David Guerra, Owner and Webmaster BerlinBrigade.com A/6/502 Berlin Brigade ('85 -'87) John G. Nasmith Hi Reinhard, many congratulations on you being awarded the Order of Merit - very well deserved. You and all your family must be so proud. Keep up the good work! Regards, John G. Nasmith Dave Rabert Reinhard - I am very happy for you, you have done a really good job on your website. I check it out quite often and you really do a GREAT job. You deserve all the honors and accolades that YOU have earned through the years. Although my time in Berlin was over 50 years ago, you have managed to keep many memories alive. Dave Rabert Jim Barnes Reinhard, our best friend in our Berlin! I know that I speak for the countless thousands of Berlin veterans, past, present and yes, the future --- Many, Many Thanks ! If there were not you, our tours of duty in Berlin would have been faded memories ! Keeping the stories and memories alive, are keeping us in history's memory ! Thanks again, good friend ! Congratulation to you Reinhard and to your family ! Jim Barnes & family Richard Stickrod Hello from Florida, we are sooo very proud of you Reinhard. You certainly deserve this meritorious award. Berlin and we are so very fortunate to have you as our friend and dedicated hard worker of such an important job as to keep our country's relationship together, and always informed, and the lines of communications open forever and ever. Thank you !. Your US Army pal, Berlin, Co. B Andrews Barracks, 1954-55, Cpl. Richard Stickrod (Dick and wife Jean) Annemarie Shomaker It took them long enough to recognize your value !!! Congratulations and thanks for filling us in with the details. Thank you also for the great photos. Jami keeps growing and growing. Pretty soon she will be a young lady. All the best, Annemarie Jim Coleman Reinhard, congradulations on receiving the award. I think back to the time I was stationed there and how I was treated by the the people of West Berlin. It was a very special time in my life, which I will never forget. Thanks again for the website and the memories. I will be coming back again in 2014 with my older sister for the reunion. She was very impressed with the pictures of you, me, and Patty. My older sister is planning to visit me and my wife in Tucson, AZ. I will show her the Berlin Brigade web site and other pictures of people that I was stationed with. Many thanks. Sincerely, Jim Coleman John Schouten Reinhard, Congratulation, if anyone deserves a metal you do, thanks for all you do to keep the memories alive. Thanks John Jim Osbon Reinhard, you are amazing and truly deserved the award given by the German government. May you always feel the highest of times that you feel right now!! Jim Steve Volk Dear Reinhard: A singularly truly and well-deserved honor bestowed on you for your selfless service to present us access to this one-of-a-kind history for us Berlin veterans. I could go on and on with words of thanks and praise, but I would repeat what so many others have said before me about this topic, so I will just close with: Thank you very much, dear Reinhard, and may you stay healthy so that we may continue to benefit from your untiring and interesting - and meanwhile world famous -- project. Steve Jim Mock Hopefully things have calmed down a bit. I waited, knowing you have probably been very busy. First, congratulations. You deserved the recognition. You may recall me saying your website is more important than just the retired members of the Berlin Brigade. I know you built it to honor them, from the bottom of your heart. But sometimes things we do take on an importance much greater than what motivates us. Your website is an excellent example. It teaches those who have no clue as to what those years were like in Berlin. You have saved the memories for the Americans there, but you have also constructed an historical website that has no equal, regarding life in Berlin during the Cold War. You and I both know Berlin would have been Ground Zero for WWIII and damn near did, more than once. The only reason I know this, my friend, is your website and your two books. The only reason David and Jamie know this is your website and your two books. The only reason the CHILDREN and grand children of those Berlin Brigade Veterans will know what their fathers/grandfathers went thru is your website and your two books. I know they are no longer being printed. If you still have copies, please consider making them into E-Books. The story they tell brings those years down to a personal level of a man who grew up there and what he experienced confronting the Communists. I would recommend people read them to grasp what it was really like during those years for the cops that worked the American Sector, but MP's and Berlin Polizei. Don't do it for the Berlin Polizei or the American Veterans only, do it for the generations to come. You and I both know a good percentage of people will never appreciate the work of those who make sacrifices for the good of all. Those people are poison and to be avoided, and also ignored. Hard to do, but for everyone of them there are 1000 not like them, who come and go in silence. Look how many visitors your website has had. All that took time to look around took a piece of history with them when they moved on. That's what's most important. It's nice when someone in authority recognizes us for the work we do. It helps us stay motivated to keep doing it. It's also important as it brings more attention to the work you do and has made powerful memories for your family. Keep doing what you do my friend. It is more important than most people will ever realize. -Jim - Robert Rynerson Wow! I am so happy about this. I'm off to do some errands and people will wonder why I am smiling so broadly. John Parmenter In all of history there are very few private citizens who have been officially honored, for their work, by TWO (!) national governments. One of those few is the webmaster of this site. Future generations of his family will take pride in the accomplishments of Reinhard von Bronewski! -John- David Henderson Hello Dear Reinhard and Angela, It looks like a really nice day all of you had yesterday at the awards ceremony. Such a good and wonderful thing your President and your Government have awarded to you, Reinhard. I am happy for you that the day has come, and you have not to wait any longer. I know this must have been a long 4 weeks for you to wait. I also have been on edge because of it. I am just so happy for you. Thank you for being my friend and Brother. Hi Angela, I can see by the look on your face how proud you are of Reinhard. Take care Dear Friends, Hugs from Texas, Congratulations one more time, David & Edwina Bob Casey Hello Reinhard and family! Today must be one of the happiest days of your live being honored by the Mayor of Zehlendorf & Steglitz, and the President of the Federal Republic of Germany Mr. Christian Wulff. (Bundespraesident). I also would like to congratulate you Reinhard for the well deserved honor, to received the Medal of Merit. Like always I have my head in the sand, because I never knew or heard of this award "Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany" until now. I saw the joy in all the faces in the photos. I am so happy for you Reinhard, you have sure expressed your labor of love in your web site Berlin Brigade Memories. THANK YOU, Reinhard for not forgetting us old Veterans, and THANK YOU for keeping us alive and young again though your web site. I have visited the new link that you have done for all to see. The photos are great and made it very interesting. Great job my friend! Bob Casey Don Stanley ( Director from BUSMVA ) Reinhard, what a great honor for you! Congratulations on well deserved award ! -Bergie- Fred Sanford That is a great honor and Reinhard well deserves it. He puts in a lot of time and effort to keep his website up and running. He preserves our the memories of all of us Old Berlin Vets. It amazes me on how he researchs and finds some of the old historical pictures of Berlin long before the city was divided after WWII. His website is truly a Historical site worthy of the honors. Charles & Nancy Hilsky Dear Reinhard, Nancy and I are very pleased you got this award, it really shows all the things you and your family has done to extend friendship to the American Veteran and our families. We are very happy for you and please stay well. Best Regards to you and that great family of yours, Charles Bob Kreowski Dear Reinhard; I'm very, very happy to join the many well-wishers and I equally extend my heartfelt congratulations to you, for having been honored by the President of the German Federal Republic, who awarded you the Bundesverdienstkreuz, in recognition of all your hard work (blood, sweat & tears) in support of everlasting German / American friendship and for creating and maintaining a repository of historical information, primarily relating to the legendary Berlin Brigade as well as other military units, which protected the freedom of the citizens of West-Berlin. Thank you, Reinhard and once more, CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!! All the best for the future. Regards to the family. Be safe ... Bob K., ein alter Berliner. Norbert Kopp Mayor of the Berlin districts Zehlendorf & Steglitz Lieber Herr von Bronewski, ich finde es sehr gut, dass Sie sich so stark für das Engagement der Amerikaner in Berlin und Deutschland einsetzen. Wir haben der amerikanischen Schutzmacht unendlich viel für unsere Freiheit zu verdanken. Ich bin fest davon überzeugt, dass es richtig ist, dass der Herr Bundespraesident Christian Wulff Sie mit der Verdienstmedaille des Verdienstordens der Bundesrepublik Deutschland für Ihr Engagement bezueglich der deutsch-amerikanischen Freundschaft auszeichnet. In diesem Sinne herzlichen Dank, ich freue mich auf den 11. Maerz 2011. Mit freundlichen Gruessen, Norbert Kopp, Bezirksbuergermeister von Berlin Steglitz-Zehlendorf Uwe von Tschammer Dear Reinhard, congratulation for the medal of merit with which the government is honoring your endless work to keep the memories alive. You are one of the few who deserve it. Wear the medal with pride and I'm happy for you, now I know one who got it in person. Keep up the good work and be assured that many around the world are very thankful for your work, it brings back memories which should not be forgotten. See you and your darling family once the sun is up and it's a little warmer so we can sit in your garden and have a beer together. Regards, Uwe. Hallo Reinhard, Hallo Angela und der Rest der Familie, das ist ein Ding ! Ich bin beim Lesen fast aus dem Stuhl gekippt! Fantastisch, Du hast den Orden verdient, mit Deiner langjaehrigen Arbeit an Deiner Webseite hast Du ihn mehr verdient als die bisherigen Traeger die man so im Fernsehen sieht. Gratulation und Glueckwunsch von uns beiden! Darauf kannst Du aber auch stolz sein, und ich habe endlich einmal jemanden der einen solchen Orden bekommt den ich persoenlich kenne ! Grossartig, das ich das noch erleben darf. Wir wuenschen Dir alles Gute für die Zukunft und freuen uns mit Dir / Euch, Uwe und Dorit Klaus Nowobilsky (PHK a. D.) Lieber Reinhard, das ist ja der blanke Wahnsinn. Grossartig! Herzlichen Glueckwunsch zu dieser aussergewoehnlichen Ehrung. Kann Dein Besuch bei dem US-Botschafter der Ausloeser gewesen sein? Mit Deiner Internetseite und Deiner starken Verbindung zu unseren ehemaligen Alliierten, hat das sicher zu tun. Doch das wird sich bei der Ueberreichung herausstellen. Viel Grund zu grosser Freude ! In unserem fortgeschrittenem Alter gilt nur eine Devise: Geniesse das in vollen Zuegen. Dein hocherfreuter Klaus Rainer Hoffmann Hallo Reinhard, Gratulation zur Verdienstmedaille. Endlich wuerdigt auch die deutsche Seite Deine Arbeit. Ich freue ich mich riesig für Dich. Schaetze mal, das wird in den USA wie eine Bombe einschlagen. Gruss ! Rainer Bernd von Kostka / Alliied Museum Wow, das ist toll !!! Das freut mich echt für Dich und ist der Lohn für die viele Arbeit, die Du fuer die Erinnerung an die Westmaechte investiert hast. Meine Glueckwuensche. Bernd Klaus Nowobilsky Lieber Reinhard, nun noch einmal auf diesem Wege. Herzliche Gratulation für Deine Auszeichnung mit dem Bundesverdienstkreuz. Diese Ehre ist so selten, wie ein Edelstein und wird Dich für den Rest Deines Lebens bereichern. Danke auch fuer die Fotos von der Feierstunde im Wrangelschloesschen. Dies war der wuerdige Rahmen fuer Deine Ehrung. Deine deutsch-amerikanische Internetseite ist ein Unikat und Deine dort angelegte, engagierte Arbeit, hat diese Ehrung verdient. Alles Gute weiterhin, Klaus Rainer Hoffmann Hallo Reinhard, nochmals -Herzlichen Glueckwunsch- zur Verleihung des Bundesverdienstkreuzes. Auf den Bildern siehst Du sehr happy aus, ich gehe daher davon aus, dass Du die Zeremonie genossen hast. Ich bin allerdings der Meinung man haette Dir ruhig die zweite Stufe verleihen duerfen. Du haettest es mehr als jeder andere verdient. Das habe ich so auch John geschrieben. Aber wie so haeufig, die "Kleinen" kriegen die Medaillen und die "Grossen" bekommen "Grosskreuze" und was weiss ich noch. Das soll aber die Freude darueber nicht schmaelern. Du bist sicher einer der wenigen, die von zwei Laendern geehrt wurden. Ich hoffe Ihr habt danach ordentlich gefeiert. Gruss ! Rainer Eberhardt Schubert Hallo Reiner ! Meinen herzlichsten Glueckwunsch für Deine Auszeichnung! Ich freue mich mit Dir und hoffe das Du so weiter machst schon wegen der alten Zeiten. In dem Sinne mach so weiter oder wie Du immer sagst: "Those were the days" Dein Freund Eberhard Dale Farlin Congratulations my Friend ! I am so happy to see you richly rewarded for your efforts. You have done so much and needed this Honor. Words do not fully express the enjoyment that I get when looking at your work. Rewards go also to your wife Angela for her help and encouragement over the years. As the saying goes "Behind every great man is a great woman" ! Again I am so glad to see you are recognized for your work. Frank Kahofer Hi Reinhard, congratulations of your Order of merit and honor to have you as my friend, you are the best ! Without you and your family and friends all would be lost in the past but you keep us alive! A big THANK YOU, - always your friend! Frank Kahofer, C / 4-18 , 1968-69 Sol Katz Reinhard, I just want to add my congratulations on your wonderful award and to say that you deserve it more then anyone I know for all the hard work you put in keeping the memory of the Berlin Brigade alive. Charles Hilsky Hi Reinhard: Nancy and I enjoyed Jami's love letters to you as a veteran and I think they are very proud of your award. The time when I was leaving your great city of Berlin, many of us wonder will the Berlin remember the American Military or will it be a short paragraph in history or even that. The work you and your great family has done can never be replaced. What a great person, Col. Halvorsen, he is a true American Hero. With our love to you and your family, we wrote Mike and told him how proud we are of you. Charles & Nancy Pat Murray Reinhard, thank you so very much for all of the hard work and dedication you have given all of us. I have been watching your site grow over the years. So many of us have great memories of our time in Berlin. I was there from 1977 until 1980. I love the German people. After I got out of the service, I tried in vain to get a job as a civilian with the US Army in Berlin, but they had no positions open. I have not been back there since. Thank You again for all that you do. Capt. Phil & Sue Metzler Well Reinhard, all we can say is wow !! What an honor and well deserved too. The pictures were great. Now we can say we know a real medal winner ! Sebastian Papa Hi Reinhard, that is a beautiful photo of you. Congratulations on your award again. Words cannot express what a wonderful man you are & that includes husband, father & grandfather. May God bless you. -Sebby- ( 298th Army Band, 1947 in Berlin) Bob Casey WOW Reinhard! By looking at all the photos and reading your emails and seeing all that went on yesterday through your web site you all had a very busy day. You can see the saying is true, "YOU BUILD IT THEY WILL COME". Do you see all your friends and family showing up to say to you ( A job well done Reinhard ). I can see this Historic web site even getting bigger then you ever dreamed of. I see this historic web site getting in to the schools and colleges in many countries. So my dear friend get prepared for a ride of your life. This is only the beginning Reinhard. I am so proud to be part of this in a very small way, and to have my name mention in your web site is a true honor for me and my children to see. I am very grateful and proud to have PAGE # 22 on the Honor Page in your web site, and to have some photos of me for my children and grand children can see. One of my luckiest days of my life is when I came across your web site Berlin Brigade Memories two years ago! Reinhard if some people only knew how rich I feel, and alive and young I am at 74 they would not believe I am the same person. Two years ago when I came across your web site Berlin-Brigade-Memories I was living along in a nine room house, my health was very poor, and I did not want to go on any more with out my Dear Wife Ellen who I met and married in Berlin in 1955. Reinhard since then in two years I feel young and alive, I want to keep going because I have something to live for again. I feel I am somebody thanks to your beautiful web site. I have found the wife of one of my company buddies sad to say he has passed away in 2008. But I am in contact with is wife and family thanks to your web site. His wife saw her husband in one of my photos marching together. His name was SSG Lloyd Tipton, he was the second man in front of me. Reinhard look how happy Jim Osbon was in his message in your guest book when he was telling you that he heard from the little boy he knew when the boy was only 4 years old. 48 years ago at Checkpoint Charlie! THANK YOU AGAIN! SSG BOB CASEY Denny Werk Dear Reinhard, I am so pleased to hear of your receipt of the 'Bundesverdienstkreuz-Medal', something I know that makes you feel honored and very proud. The work that you have been doing, all on behalf of others, often at no advantage of personal gain or reward but for the enjoyment and edification of your BBDE-members and friends, this medal is for top achievement and just recognition for those efforts you bring to the table every day, every week. May you be assured that we too are proud and grateful for all that you do for us and others, and we say "Thank you". Stay well, my friend! D.L. 'Denny' Werk, Sr., Blue Spader 1961-63 David Scott To quote from "MY FAIR LADY", "You did it, you did it and no one thought that you could - YOU DID IT!" Once again, Congratulations a on a job that is well done, and continues. scott Andreas Braune Lieber Reinhard, herzlichen Glueckwunsch für die Dir verliehene Auszeichnung. Du hast sie verdient. Wie stolz musst Du sein, wie tief befriedigt, dass Deine freiwillige Arbeit solche Fruechte traegt. Ein Zitat von Rabindranath Tagore: "Ich schlief und traeumte, das Leben sei Freude. Ich erwachte und sah, das Leben war Pflicht. Ich handelte und siehe, die Pflicht ist Freude!" Uebersetzt heisst das fuer mich, dass nur wer mit Herz und Hingabe an einem Projekt arbeitet auch die verdienten Fruechte ernten kann. Du bist mit Freude Deinem Dienst nachgegangen und pflegst mit Liebe Deine Homepage. Du hast es Dir selbst zur Pflicht gemacht, die Erinnerungen am Leben zu halten. Und mit welcher Freude tust Du das! Viele Menschen sollten sich ein Beispiel an Dir nehmen. Es sind naemlich die vermeintlich "kleinen Raedchen", die alles am laufen halten! Herzliche Gruesse , Andreas Translation: Dear Reinhard, my heartly congratulation on your award. How proud & satisfied you must be that your volonteer work earned such 'fruits'. A quoting by Rabindranath Tagore: "I slept and dreamed that life is fun. I awoke and saw that the life was obligation. I acted and recognized, the obligation is joy". Translated means this for me, that only those who work with heart & mind on such project can reap the deserved 'fruits'. You have put it to your obligation to keep the memories alive! And you do it with such a joy! Many human beings should take your work as example. It often are the 'small wheels' which keep things running! Heartly regards, Andreas James Carpenter Reinhard, congratulations on your award.You are so deserving for such an honor. You are indeed a good man and a wonderful friend to all of us who were so fortunate to serve in your wonderful city. I am very happy I was able to meet you at the reunion in 2006. Pam Garten How wonderful Reinhard!! And so well deserved! Thank you so much for sharing this with us! Big hugs to you and your family! Pam ( 287th MP Co.) Fred Giers Good show, Reinhard! Much deserved all around efforts for American-German relationship. You are blessed for blessing all of us over the years with beautiful memories of very important occupation. God bless everyone for years to come. Sincerely, Fred Giers---and thank you for sharing the joy! Rick Bradley Hello Reinhard, The love letter from little Jami was priceless! Honestly, it brought a tear to my eyes. What a sweetheart she is. I enjoyed reading all of the comments from people who love and admire all that you do my friend. Colonel Halvorsen got it spot on when he said you are our "Hero". You have managed to uncover what governments have tried to hide. When I see that medal on your website, I say to myself, he did it, he finally made it to the top. More people than ever will be viewing your website worldwide. The younger generation will now know what the "Cold War" was all about thanks to your undying efforts to expose the truth. I got to tell you, I get all excited just talking about it. I am so proud of you Reinhard. You are AWESOME! Bob Hertenstein Reinhard, congratulations on a much deserved award and recognition from your country. Your tireless work and commitment to keeping all of our memories of the legendary Berlin Brigade alive goes beyond the pale. Best Wishes - Bob Hertenstein / F40A Ralph Schaaf Hallo lieber Reinhard ! Herzlichen Glueckwunsch zum Bundesverdienstkreuz ! Ich gratuliere Dir von ganzen Herzen und freue mich mit Dir ! ! ! Da wurde doch mal der Richtige für eine solche Auszeichnung erwischt ! Lieben Gruss auch von Helga Dein Freund Ralph Earl Bohnenblust (owner & webmaster of 'Wallwatchers' website) Hello my good friend Reinhard and family, I am so happy for you in getting this great honor and reward! That is so deserving for all the hard work that you've done for us veterans. If I was there, I'd shake your hand. I hope that you and everyone in your family is in good health, and the sun is shining on you in Berlin. Take care my friend, I am so happy for you! Greetings from New York, Your friend Earl Gerry Coles Congratulations to Reinhard for the excellent effort he was recently honored by the U.S. Ambassador and the German Government for keeping alive the work we did during the Cold War to keep West Berlin free. (My 3.5 years in Berlin were between 1957 and 1963.) I find it unusual to say the least that a few BUSMVA members are envious that Reinhard is recognized for his efforts that does as much as BUSMVA is doing to memorialize our service in Berlin during the Cold War. Certainly having Reinhard's significant recognition announced on our BB is a most worthy medium where he can be honored, but it was not good that BUSMVA didn't do it first. Let's hope Reinhard's good work for us all continues on for many years to come. George Stephenson A well deserved award for a honored German Citizen. You are like the quadriga on top of the Brandenburger Tor - - both distinguished Berliners. George Judy Powell CONGRATULATIONS, REINHARD!!! This is wonderful news, indeed! Wow, I can't believe you kept this a secret for so long! What a HIGH HONOR for you and your work on the Berlin Brigade! So you see, all your work and time and effort has not been in vain - and I am so proud of you! And your country is so proud of you! Again, Congratulations to you! It is very well deserved. Your friend, Judy Edward Sutherland Congratulations on being awarded the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany (Bundesverdienstkreuz)! You truly do deserve it! Thanks once again for such a wonderful site with all the pictures of a past home of mine! I hope that in a couple of years I will be able to return for a visit there. Rainer Hoffmann Reinhard, Congratulations on this well deserved medal. Your devotion to duty (voluntarely) and tireless efforts to bring joy to lots of "old" Berlin Brigade veterans can never be truly honored. Keep up the good work and "the memories alive". However, as a German myself, I wonder why it took the government so long to recognize you! Rainer Wolfram Schrankenmueller ( PHK a.D. ) Hallo Reinhard, die Sonne scheint wieder. Aber auch schon vorher war doch die Welt in Ordnung mit der Verleihung dieser schoenen Auszeichnung. Dazu meine Gratulation! Die Masse an Feedbacks laesst doch die Sonne taeglich scheinen. Ich wuensche Dir einen schoenen Sonntag und viele Gruesse, Wolfram Ralph Schulz Hallo Reinhard, Gratulation zur Verdienstmedaille und mach' weiter so wie bisher, so bleibt die Geschichte der Alliierten in Berlin erhalten. Gruesse Ralph, 1. Vorsitzender West Alliierte in Berlin e.V Tom Rovai A Special Police Man. Congratulations and thanks from another old soldier. Col. Wes Polender Wow Reinhard, That is so great! Looks like 11 March was a big day for both of us. I received a retirement certificate, recognizing my years of service, from my President - you received an award, recognizing your years of service from your President. My award was a Legion of Merit. Your award was a Order of Merit. The two medals even look much alike. So happy for you Reinhard. It seems that you have gotten the recognition you should have gotten long ago! Wes JIM BARNES GOOD MORNING REINHARD. VERY WELL SAID, WE AMERICANS OF THE BERLIN BRIGADE WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO "THANK YOU" FOR YOUR TIRELESS EFFORT IN KEEPING US IN YOUR MEMORY.

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