Berlin Tour Teaches Marines Historical Significance

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Berlin Tour Teaches Marines Historical Significance
Submitted by: Marine Forces Europe
Story Identification Number: 2003121863146
Story by Sgt. Michael Hjelmstad



BERLIN(Dec 16, 2003) -- U.S. Marines joined other service members stationed here recently for a tour of the city that represents an unrivaled historical significance to Germany and the world.

The Berlin Orientation Visit is a professional development tour giving participants a unique opportunity to become familiar with the government and military of the host nation that has a long history with the U.S. military.

Today, U.S. service members come to Berlin as friends and guests of the city to learn more about the importance of German history.

"Speaking with military and government representatives gave me a lot of insight into the differences between our governmental, military and personal politics," said Sgt. Joseph Forbes, Marine Forces Europe. "I am 110 percent more psyched about German culture than I was a week ago."

Berlin is a thriving metropolis online with the modern culture of any large city in the world. The Berlin Orientation Tour also revealed a cultural diversity that could only come from a city that has overcome tragic events from its past.

"The contradiction of German history is almost physically tangible in Berlin," said a representative of the German Federal Foreign Office.

"It's a difficult history to accept and understand," said another German representative. "German history has black and white areas, but it's also mostly gray."
The American service members tried to comprehend what it must have been like for Germans to serve during that controversial time in their country's history.

"It's one of the hardest things for someone in uniform to go through a change in government that you don't agree with," said Air Force Col. Henri Bigo, Deputy Political Advisor, European Command. "Where does your allegiance lie?"

That struggle was evident during the tour of the German Resistance Museum that included the film, "The Plot to Kill Hitler," the story of Claus Graf Schenck von Stauffenberg and his failed attempt to kill the dictator. Hitler ordered the immediate execution of Stauffenberg and those orders were carried out in the courtyard of the building that is now the museum.

"It makes your blood run cold to be here," said Bigo. "You can see how bad things can become, it reinvigorates your desire to fight to keep democracy strong."

Those on the tour had a chance to discuss the strong German democracy over lunch with members of the State Legislature called Abgeordenetenhaus in German. The Legislatures were very open to discussion with members of the U.S. military.

"You are integrated with our communities and the German people have been making friends with the U.S. military," said Fritz Felgentreu, an elected German Representative. "This was not the case when the Russian military was in Berlin, it was not allowed, they were strictly an occupying force."

The strong relationship that has developed between the U.S. and German militaries has remained through the occupation, unification, and even in recent opposing politics.

"Those who wear the uniform are good friends," said German Col. Mullner, Head of Political Military Branch. "Even in a time when German/American relations are going through some rough waters, we still ultimately share similar values."

The tour helped foster a relationship between the two military groups that is a benefit to both sides. "It's a good symbol to have the U.S. military in Germany," said Mullner. "To help us better understand foreign military and the American way of life."

"There is still a high degree of trust between the U.S. and Germany," said a representative of the German Federal Foreign Office. "Remember that when we are disagreeing over petty differences, something that still brings us together is values."

"We have developed relationships that are not related to official policy," said Martina Michels, Vice President Abgeordnetenhauses. "This has not stopped, but has been passed down from generation to generation."

"There is a legacy of 13 million Americans who have been stationed in Germany," said Mr. Hubert Erb. "It would be a shame to let that history be forgotten."

An American military presence has existed since the people of Berlin emerged from air-raid shelters in the spring of 1945. That presence has grown to a friendship that exists today.

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2...95?opendocument


Sempers,

Roger