A gym beautifully decorated with German national flag and symbols, flags and tables presenting all German lands as well as entertaining music and tasty snacks were prepared by the German community of Multinational Corps Northeast (MNC NE) on the occasion of German Reunification Day, celebrated in Baltic Barracks on 6 October 2009.
Honourable guest for honourable celebration
Brigadier General Josef Heinrichs, MNC NE Chief of Staff and German highest-ranking officer, had the opportunity to host the reception on this occasion for the third time already. A special guest arrived from Gdańsk – Mr Joachim Bleicker, General Consul of Germany. Among other honourable guests were Vice Voivode of West Pomeranian Voivodeship Mr Andrzej Chmielewski, Secretary of the City of Szczecin Mr Ryszard Słoka and other representatives of Szczecin authorities, honorary consuls of France, Germany, Mexico, Sweden and Ukraine, representatives of military formations and units, police, fire department, border guard as well as members of the world of education, sport and culture. General Heinrichs also warmly welcomed Senior National Officers and Non-Commissioned Officers and other multinational friends from Baltic Barracks, who also were present for the celebration.
Close allies and good friends
“I have been in Szczecin before but never in this Headquarters but I already feel at home here”, began Mr Joachim Bleicker, the keynote speaker during the celebration, who expressed his appreciation for the invitation. He talked about the importance of German Reunification Day, the day of joy not only for Germans but also the whole Europe and beyond. Mr Bleicker focused on events that led to the reunification of two German states on 3 October 1990, including the Solidarity Movement and the fall of the Berlin Wall, not least the immense effort of people who fought for democracy and freedom. All this led to the end of the Iron Curtain and artificial division of the world.
General Consul also referred to the current times and underlined excellent relations between Germany and Poland, resulting in e.g. numerous partnerships between cities or students exchange. “Multinational Corps Northeast is another living example how things have changed”, said Mr Bleicker, indicating that the presence of foreign soldiers on streets of Szczecin has become simply natural.
Celebration with a black-red-yellow tint
A culminating point the celebration was cutting a cake, which was decorated with colours of the German national flag. Mr Bleicker and General Heinrichs cut the cake together and, in this way, they started an unofficial part of the celebration. As soon as the buffet was opened, all guests tried delicacies prepared by the German community and started small talks making this event pleasant and unforgettable.
Comments