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German-American Friendship Bench |
German-American Friendship Bench
For many Grunewald hikers it's just a bench. But this nice wooden bench represents a special dedication and offers a meaningful story.
It's a donation to the Grunewald forest, that means to all Berliners & Berlin visitors! This donation is made by my sister Astrid, family members & some of her close friends.
This bench also is her gift for my 60th Birthday, which is coming in December 21st, 2007 to honor me & my memory work in keeping up the German-American friendship.
This special bench carries a small plaque (brass) with the engraving :
DONATED IN HONOR OF
MR. REINHARD VON BRONEWSKI
IN APPRECIATION FOR HIS TIRELESS MEMORY WORK
TO KEEP UP THE GERMAN-AMERICAN FRIENDSHIP
www.berlin-brigade.de
The bench is made in the U.S.A. and it's set up in the Grunewald, uphill of the Krumme Lanke, a romantic lake within the wood area.
The Landesforstamt (Department of Berlin Forest Affairs) and the local forester, Mr. Andreas Constien, have assisted my sister to fulfil her great deed.
On October 20, 2007, it took more than 4 hours hard work before the bench was properly set up.
Right in this area, until the end of 1993, various Berlin Brigade units held maneuvers to be ready for defending West-Berlin. Countless mock battles took place there; the firing noise of blank ammunition was like a symbol that the West-Berliners were not helpless or left alone against the daily terror and threat of GDR & Soviet battle troops.
Now the practice firing noise is history, same as is the Wall, the Death Strip, and the brave Berlin Brigade soldiers.
The old Berliners probably never forget the legendary Berlin Brigade, but of the new generations?? Who is helping them to learn this Berlin history ?
Maybe this great donation with its engraving can help remind us all. I hope that fools hands do not ruin it!
The following photos offer some impressions to you. Enjoy!
Thank you, Astrid, Heinz, Stefan, Ingo, Richard, Hajo, Jack, Regina, Christopher, Daniel, Sabrina, & Bodo.
June 2009, after several destructions done by dumb fools or idiots hands, I had to remove the bench to repair it at my home. The damaged name & honor plaque is gone now. July 2009, the bench was set up again in the Grunewald.
Many thanks also to the officers of the Landesforstamt & Andreas Constien, the kind Grunewald forester !
--REINHARD--
Email echo of my friends !
HELLO REINHARD,
WOW!!!! WHAT A WONDERFUL GIFT THAT ASTRID AND THE GANG HAVE GIVEN YOU. WHAT A GREAT HONOR ALSO. NOW WHEN THE PEOPLE USE THE BENCH THEY WILL BE ABLE TO SEE JUST WHAT YOU HAVE GIVEN NOT ONLY TO WE WHO HAVE SERVED IN YOUR GREAT CITY, BUT TO THE ENTIRE CITY OF BERLIN AND TO YOUR COUNTRYMEN. BERLIN AND ALL OF GERMANY SHOULD FEEL VERY PROUD TO HAVE SOMEONE LIKE YOU IN THEIR MIDST. YOU HAVE A WONDERFUL SISTER, MY FRIEND. NOW WHEN I AM WANDERING THE GRUNEWALD IN MY MIND, I CAN STOP AND REST ON YOUR HONOR BENCH. YOU MAKE ME SO VERY PROUD MY BROTHER.
BIG BROTHER,
GENE KELLER
Congratulations Reinhard-----An Honor for you and rightfully so------I SALUTE YOU!!!!!!!----TAKE CARE MY FRIEND-----Hi to your family and friends-----later
connie
Reinhard my friend,
Fantastic! What a wonderful sister you have. Astrid and her friends all have good hearts to give you this wonderful honor. What a great bunch of friends to have. I'm touched by their love for you. My family and I share in your joy my friend.
My best regards to all.
Rick Bradley
Lieber Reinhard,
what a wonderful and unique gift! It must have taken some concerted effort to come up with something unusual like that. I bet you were really surprised, and pleased.
My congratulations on this honor go to you and for your personal effort to inform the uninformed, and about all the good you've done in the area of friendly relationships between Americans and Germans, military and civilian.
And, my thanks go out to all the thoughtful participants in providing this great gift.
Thanks for sending the pictures of this occasion, the placement of the 'honor bench' in the Grunewald.
Liebe Gruesse,
Denny Werk
Blue Spader 1961-63
Guten tag, lieber Reinhard...
You are a very fortunate man to have such a wonderful family and so very many good friends.
Thank you for sharing the photo's with me. All photo's from Berlin make my heart smile.
Dein freund,
Rob Pellington
Tag Reinhard,
Du hast wirklich gute Freunde und ich sehe auf den Bild mit Dir und den "Gang" wie Du Dich darueber freust. Allein der Gedanke eine Bank hinzustellen ist etwas ausserordentliches. Ich freue mich einmal zusammen mit Dir auf Deiner Bank zu sitzen und ueber the good old days zu quatschen.
Am very happy for you. Best wishes and enjoy the weekend.
Steve Volk
Dear Reinhard,
what a wonderful surprise and an early one at that! This by far the best bench I've ever seen, beautifully crafted and set up in one of the most beautiful places in Berlin. You should be sooo proud and I am sooo happy for you too. I wish I could have been there to see it. I added the pictures to my personal files for an album with the heading: "Priceless Pride." You've done so many great things for the Brigade and it is only fair they show you a little token of their appreciation. Anyway, I am on a lunch break, I have to run out again for work, have a lot of flowers to deliver today.
Be well my friend and again, congratulations, you've done well!!!
Berliner_Biene
Leiber Reinhard,
This e-mail brought tears to my eyes! You have some wonderful friends to think of you and your beloved Grunewald! It his was a beautiful birthday gift.
Congratulations!
Dein Freund,
Mark Lind
Dear Reinhard,
There is no one more deserving of such an honor as you.
Your tireless work to continue the memory of the German-American relationship could not be appreciated enough. You bring so much happiness to so many people with your work. That beautiful bench was dedicated with much love for you. It will be there for everyone to see and enjoy. Also it will make many more people aware of your work. It is a beautiful bench, for a very nice man; from your very special family and friends.
Congratulations!!!!
Happy (Early) Birthday.
Your friend,
Pat Healy
Hallo Lieber Reinhard!
What a great way to honor you and all of your hard work! Especially since you love the Grunewald. Thank you for sharing the pictures with us! You have good friends.
Danke, mein Comrade! Hugs to you from the States!
Pam Garten
Hallo Reinhard,
ich dachte ich traue meinen Augen nicht. Was sich manche Leute so einfallen lassen, ist unglaublich. Der Ort ist meiner Meinung nach gut gewählt, da hast Du Deine ersten Erlebnisse gehabt, und wenn wir beide "scheintot" sind, bis da hin schaffen wir es allemal. Dann setzen wir uns zum verschnaufen darauf und dann geht's zurück.
So schließt sich der Kreis.
Ich nehme mal an, dass später im Jahr (Boden gefroren usw.) diese Aktion nicht mehr möglich gewesen wäre. ALSO, ein vorgezogenes Geburtstagsgeschenk!
Gratuliere !
Gruss
Rainer
Reinhard, what a wonderfull gift, and if I ever get back to Berlin would love to set a while on it and smell the wonderfull air of Grunewald and maybe have a bier or two.
Jim 53 - 55
Hello, Reinhard, Thanks for the note & photos! That new park bench is a GREAT gift for you & is an honor that very few people will experience. You certainly deserve it & are fortunate to have such fine support from friends & family! CONGRATULATIONS to you!
Take care, Amigo,
Your friend,
John Parmenter
Greetings Reinhard,
My sincere congratulations on your receiving such a great gift from Astrid, Family and Friends. It is so appropriate that you have a bench named in your honor. I look forward to my return to Berlin when I can visit that spot in the Grunewald. Happy 60th birthday from an old comrade and I look forward to meeting up with you in the years ahead.
Kind regards,
Jim Garry
Hallo Reinhard,
herzlichen Gückwunsch zu Deiner Bank! Hoffentlich bleibt sie lange unbeschädigt und fällt nicht der Zerstörungswut zum Opfer! Das gleiche gilt natürlich besonders für das Schild. Da ja nicht alle "Freunde" diese öffentliche Ehrung "verkraften" werden, habe ich etwas Sorge. Will Dir aber nicht das Herz schwer machen. Es wäre doch gelacht, wenn ich dort nicht auch einmal eine Ruhepause einlegen sollte.
Viele Grüße an den "Banker" von Wolfram
Reinhard,
The bench looks terrific. I walk a great deal nowadays and so I see a lot of "dedicated" benches just like yours. The lacquering job after you put it up is a very good idea. I love sitting on these benches (especially after walking several miles to lose weight!), and the fact that a restaurant which could allow me an espresso is nearby makes the whole scene ganz gemuetlich. Ich lese "Der Berliner Morgenpost" und viel, viel passiert heutzutage in Berlin. Von einem US Heer Spec-5, Danke sehr
ihr,
Gerry Barnard
Reinhard,
Congratulations on this fine honor. You deserve it for all your hard work. Hopefully we can sit on it next time I'm in Berlin. Again Congratulations.
Bergie
Hi Reinhard, like Jim Hasty said, great bench to sit enjoy the woods and have couple beers and curry wurst. Hopefully no one will damage or graffiti the bench. I hate to say it but in some parts of the USA it would not stay in one piece or last to long with the idiots walking around.
Reinhard, enjoy
ED Parr
Hello, Reinhard,
I just spent time looking at all photos posted on your website about your bench. WOW, what an excellent honor from folks who really appreciate your work & care about you. Your work should never be forgotten -- you've done such an excellent job & I know it's all a "labor of love!" It would be an excellent dream if one day I could sit on your bench with you & toast with Berliner Kindl!
My best regards to your Family.
Your friend,
John
Hey Reinhard, i tell you, that you and your Family and Friends are the BEST. I think this German-American friendship Bench is Wonderful. I hope you have a great 60th birthday. I'm so glad, you have an Honor Brick, that Honor's you, as a great Friend to all US Veterans, placed in the American Legion Post 100 Memorial, here in Ocilla Georgia, of the USA
your friends buddy & sylvia
IM JRUNEWALD, AN DE KRUMME LANKE,
DA STEHT 'NE NAGELNEUE BANKE
DIE KAM VON SEHR WEIT WEG
ZU ENEM JANZ BESONDREN ZWECK
UND ZWAR, ALS EHRE UND DANKBARKEIT
DER SCHWESTER, FREUNDE UND BEKANNTE AN ENEN MANN,
DER SCHON BEGEISTERT ALS KLEINER KNABE
STAND AN DER SEITE DER BERLINER BRIGADE;
DER HEUT ZU TAGE, AM GLEICHEN ORT,
MIT GUTEM WILLEN UND EHRLICHEN WORT
DIE LEGENDE DES FLAMMENDEN SCHWERTES BETREUT
UND SOMIT ERINNERUNGEN UND FREUNSCHAFTEN
VON BERLINERN UND AMI VETERANEN KONSTANT ERNEUT.
Best of luck, Reinhard, be safe
Bob K.
I just checked out the bench photos and the story on Reinhard's web site. The bench is beautiful - (and so are the photographs of the work on it) - and it is a permanent reminder of what Reinhard has meant to Americans. I sincerely appreciate his efforts and am so happy that he is being honored in this way.
James B. Osbon
Reinhard, the bench is beautiful and I would like to sit on it for good rest while walking in the Grunewald some day soon. Again, thank you for all you and yours have done to keep BUSMVA in the spotlight there as well as here. Again, congratulations.
Frank Mellon 52-55
Hi Reinhard, that is a great Honor Bench, you have worked so hard for us old veterans, i'm proud you are my Friend
buddy
Hallo Reinhard !
Herzlichen Glueckwunsch zu diesem schoenen Geschenk. Das ist eine tolle Idee von Astrid und ihrer 'Gang'. Du hast dir die Bank auch redlich verdient. Die Menschen hier in Berlin vergessen alle viel zu schnell was die Amis für uns getan haben. Allen voran leider unsere Politiker. Wie gut das es Dich und Deine Website gibt. Halte die Deutsch - Amerikanische Freundschaft am Leben! Mach' ja weiter so! Viele liebe Gruesse,
Andrea
Dear Reinhard,
Congratulations on your (upcoming) 60th birthday, and the wonderful bench that is in your honor. On my next trip to Berlin, I'd love to see it. Happy early birthday Mein Freund.
Earl F.Bonenblust (WallWatchers website)
My dear friend & former neighbor, what a fantastic tribute to you. You certainly deserve it. I am proud to be your friend & want you to know how much you have added to my life. At the same time you must be proud of your wonderful family & friends who have dedicated this wonderful German / American Bench to you. You have created something very special & Berlin veterans will forever be thankful to you.
Stay well & may God Bless You. Sebby
(Sebastian Papa 298th AGF Band)
Wow! What a great gift! The German-American Friendship bench is beautiful & it has a really nice place. We looking forward to take a seat on it. So many times we passed this corner when we made our fun hikings through the Grunewald. We're very proud of you !
Your kids Mike, Fraggle & Jami
Thanks so very much my friend for sharing your dear city and your sweet family. All of you are very special. It gives me great joy to receive your E-Mails and photos. My love and admiration to all. hanks so much for the ride through the Grunewald my friend. The trees are so beautiful. Just as I remember. Your wonderful bench will serve as a resting place in my heart and mind when I visit via the internet. I wonder if I listen hard and long enough I might hear the sounds of the Tanks, M16 rifles, machine guns and the screaming and yelling of those who trained in the Grunewald years ago. Or perhaps, the passing shadows of the wonderful people of the City of Berlin taking their quiet evening walks down the various pathways. What a beautiful place the Grunewald. What a beautiful City! I never tire of reminiscing.
Rick, Linda & Adrienne
After the destruction
Already two times unknown scrap have damaged the bench, there is no way to prevent this, dumb vandals have no brains.
Reinhard,
that is so sick !!! I have been sitting here trying to think of something to say about people like that but all that comes to mind is that there must be a pathological hatred for the USA that I see no way to reverse. We see it even in this country with Americans who can not find anything good about America. You and I have seen a change in the world that brings tears to the eyes.
I am so sorry about what happened last night.
Take care of yourself, you are not alone at this time of trouble,
Ray and Pat Hansen
Hey, Reinhard,
man, that makes me feel awful! Those scumbags ought to be strung up -- as in Old West days ! Take care, thank you for letting me know. Your friend,
John Parmenter
Reinhard,
I'm so sorry my friend!. Its unfortunate that you didn't catch them in the act. Its just unbelievable the stupidity of some people. Try not to let the ignorance of a few ruin your week. I know that your upset, I would be also. It makes one wonder what parents are teaching their kids these days. If there is anything that I can do, please, let me know.
Rick Bradley
Hi Reinhard,
what happened to your bench is extremely frustrating. You and I both know there are idiots who do such things, many times having no idea what they are destroying. If it's nice, they destroy it. We both know there's nothing that can be done to prevent it, and if they were caught, the courts will do nothing to them.
My friend, you can only do your best. Take it out of the Grunewald and put it in your backyard, where it will be safe and much appreciated. Let them all sit in the pig shit they deserve.
Jim Mock
Hello Reinhard,
I can understand just how badly you were upset by the asshole bastards who defaced your bench. I am sorry to hear that it was done. Why do these people always have to ruin things. We have the same problems here with the kids. They are always breaking or painting on something. The picture shows that you have fixed it up nicely, maybe they will not return again. Take care, my friend and rest a bit !
Big brother,
Gene
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