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The Steuben News Registered U.S. Patent Office 1929 A Newspaper for Americans |
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VOL. 85 NO. 4 |
JULY/AUGUST 2012 |
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The National Council Steuben Society of America Award for Excellence in German Goes to Cadet Stephen Irwin On the morning of May 20th, 2012, my husband Eberhard and I were met at the West Point Visitor's Center by our escort, USAF Captain Nicholas J. Moller. Captain Moller is on a three-year assignment to West Point as an instructor in German. We entered the grounds of the United States Military Academy through the Thayer Gate and proceeded to Thayer Hall where a luncheon reception was held prior to the awards ceremony. There, we met several members of the foreign language faculty department head Col. Rick McPeake, MAJ Jordan Frances, Dr. Johannes Vazulik, and LTC Mark C. Gagnon, who himself was a recipient of the Steuben Society award and were introduced to this year's award winner Cadet Stephen Irwin. Prior to the awards ceremony, we went to see a Steuben plaque that is prominently hung in the entrance hall. This plaque was presented to the United States Military Academy by the Steuben Society of America in April 1981. The Department of Foreign Languages Award Ceremony was held in the same auditorium where the plaque was dedicated. The National Council Steuben Society of America Award for Excellence in German is one of the oldest awards presented at West Point having been established in 1936. Our award is a Cross Saber mounted and framed for display. It was my distinct honor and pleasure to have presented on behalf of the Steuben Society its award to the 2012 recipient Cadet Stephen Irwin. Cadet Irwin resides in Westfield, MA. After graduation, he will report for his first duty assignment to Fort Hood as a second lieutenant (2LT). Following the awards ceremony, a brief reception was held in the foyer of the auditorium for cadets, their families, the faculty, award presenters and other guests and dignitaries. It was a memorable day for all of us. New Leadership in the New York State Council
With his election as National Chairman of the Steuben Society of America in April of this year, Bob Land had to vacate the New York State Council Chair that he had held for the past three years. To ensure continuing leadership, a special meeting was called for June 9, 2012, in Wantagh, NY, and Sister Marcell Baumann of the Henry Steinway Unit No. 66, became only the second women elected to the NY State Council Chair for the remainder of the current term to March 2013. Marcell deserves our sincere thanks for offering to serve as well as our full collaboration. She comes well qualified as she is a former Chairlady of the Henry Steinway Unit in Patchogue. Sister Baumann's maternal grandfather, Frederick Nauheimer, came from Bad Nauheim in Germany to America as a young man along with other members of his family. She grew up in Franklin Square, NY, attended several Catholic schools on Long Island, and met her husband-to-be, Helmut Baumann who had immigrated from Speyer, Germany at age 21 in 1957. Soon after graduating high school, the two married in 1960. Unfortunately, Helmut passed away in 1985. Marcell has 4 sons, 2 daughters and 11 grandchildren (7 boys and 4 girls). Marcell enjoys her work as an Administrative Assistant at BBS Architects and Engineers, P.C. in Patchogue, where she has been employed since 1989. She came to join the Steuben Society of America where she found many friends. She says that she "considers it a privilege to be part of this fraternal civic organization." Having met many of the Long Island Unit members, Marcell is now looking forward to getting to know the upstate members and work with all delegates in the State Council on projects such as the parade, educational awards, German American Day events, Oktoberfest, and the memorial service. Sister Baumann is planning a spring dance as a fund raiser. Her first upstate visit will be to the Oswald Heck Unit meeting in Delmar, NY, at the end of June. We wish her all the joys of fraternal collaboration!
Steubenites? - Who Are We? We have just celebrated the 93rd Founders' Day of the Steuben Society of America without really mentioning the name of any of the founders, or our reason for being. Yet, it seems imperative that we go back from time to time to remember what motivated the group of men, after WWI, to envision a new national fraternal organization. It may be helpful for all of us, and especially for newcomers among us, to review why these men felt so strongly that such an organization was needed. In reviewing this history, we can lean on and quote Prof. Dr. Albert Bernhard Faust's book "The German Element in the United States" (The Steuben Society of America, New York, 1927) as well as the Forum 2000 presentation by Charles T Johnson, "Model on German American Unity" Part I. (Steuben News Vol. 71, [1], March/April 2001) and Part II. Steuben News [3] May/June 2001). Let us recall that towards the end of the 19th century, Germans in America had "made a successful attempt at uniting all of the German Clubs of the United States, whether social, musical, gymnastic, military, or political, into one large national organization." After the turn of the century, this "National German American Alliance" (NGAA) included societies of every city, state, and territory of the United States where there was a German population; it purported "to increase the feeling of unity in the German element of the United States; to pursue worthy aims which do not run counter to good citizenship; to oppose nativistic influences; to cultivate a spirit of cordiality between America and the fatherland; to investigate the history of German-American immigrations and their influences in America. The purpose was not to found a German state within the United States or to meddle with party politics, yet to defend principles, even if they were in the political field. Questions of religion were to be excluded. The German language was recommended for introduction into the public schools; and, for the cultivation of the body (a sound mind must dwell in a sound body), gymnastic work! Germans were exhorted to become naturalized citizens as soon as possible and never to fail in or neglect their duties as voters. Opposition was planned against restriction of the immigration of Europeans in good health with the exception of the criminal class. The repeal of laws which run counter to the modern spirit was to be striven for, viz., such as restrict free communication (Sunday laws, and the personal liberty of the citizen (prohibition legislation). Additional aims were: The cultivation of German influence and literature by means of schools, lectures, etc; Investigation of the Germans' share in the history of the United States in peace and war, together with all phases of German-American activity. The object on the whole was to preserve and unite what is best in German culture and character, and devote it to the best interests of the adopted country. The principle, therefore, which Carl Schurz and Friedrich Muench announced for the Germans in America - namely, that they become American citizens as quickly as possible without, however losing their culture. While the German element had little to do with the framing of the Constitution of the United States, it had a great deal to do with the defense and development of the Republican form of government, which The Constitution founded. The German element has been influential in: 1) The abolition of slavery, 2) The reform of the civil service. 3) The upholding of the sound-money standard The platform of the German-American Alliance is typical of the patriotic and progressive attitude taken by the German element in regard to the nation's best interests." With the advent of WWI, the NGAA met increasing difficulties and it ultimately folded in 1918 because of division in its ranks about neutrality when the USA had decided to enter that war in April of 1917. During and after the war, Germans in America were not exactly popular and many suffered persecution, loss of property and deportation. To repair the damaged image, the German-American community was in need of demonstrating that its members were in fact loyal citizens and showed full allegiance to the adopted country. They had insufficient representation in both Houses of Congress and there was no great national leader to advance their cause. Thus, a group of men in New York convened and resolved to form a new national organization of American citizens who were proud to be American citizens, inclined to render public service, and also determined to celebrate their ancestral culture. Our Immediate Past Chairman Randall Ratje had reminded us on Founders' Day in 2006, that the Founders' names were Dr. Franz Koempel, Rudolf Pagenstecher, Gustav Lindenthal, Dr. Edmund von Mach, George T. Riefflin, Franz Haibicht, Dr. Carl W. Kayser, Dr. John Bullinger, Rudolf Cronau, Siegfried de Lange, George A. Schreiner, Edmund Stirn, Dr. Adolf Busse, Wilhelm Funk, Dr. Karl G. Frank, Theodore Haebler and Dr. W.B. Walz. These seventeen men first met informally at the home of Dr. Franz Koempel at 10 Nicholas Place in New York City. The Koempel home came to be known as "The Cradle of the Steuben Society" as it was there that the Society was officially formed on May 19, 1919. Rudolf Pagenstecher is given credit for naming the Society after General von Steuben. He claimed he got the idea based upon a suggestion from a friend of his who was serving in the United States Senate. Steuben represented the model citizen whose zeal and skill and loyalty to America was ultimately followed by more than seven million of German-speaking immigrants. Moreover, von Steuben's model of leadership training in military matters seemed an ideal method to carry over into a civic, patriotic organization in which willing participants receive training and pass it on down the line. Thus, the Steuben Society of America was born and like the NGAA it was structured as a Union of local Chapters (Units) with District and State Councils all chartered by the National Council. The aims were spelled out as follows (cf. pp 679-680; Appendix; Albert Bernhard Faust: The German Element in the United States, Steuben Society of America, New York, 1927): "to foster a patriotic American spirit among all citizens; to guard the nation's political liberty by maintaining an honest equality, regardless of birth, origin, or religion of any citizen or class of citizens; to Uphold the Constitution of the United States of America; to maintain the traditions of the Nation; to keep alive the memory of achievements of the pioneers of this country and to enlighten the public on the important part played by the Germanic element in the making of America; to guide our citizens through the intricacies of public policies; to warn them against political intrigues, and to oppose alien-influenced Government. The Steuben Society of America recognizes that ours is a nation of immigrants from all parts of Europe, (Ed note: remember: this was written in 1919) who have built out of nature's resources in forests and mines, on plains and prairies, under privation and hardship, a Republic whose industrial and agricultural wealth stands unequalled in the world today. In acknowledging the contribution of all racial elements, the Steuben Society considers it a duty to instill a patriotic fervor in every citizen. It will denounce and endeavor to prevent any attempt to discredit, malign, or abuse any loyal element of the American people, and will zealously guard the liberties which our fathers fought for and achieved. Duty, Justice, Charity and Tolerance are not only cornerstones of the structure of the Steuben Society of America, but are fundamental to the existence of the American Republic itself, and upon this foundation. The Society is satisfied to have its edifice rest forever." It is sobering to reread these lines. Clearly, while the Society encouraged the study of the German language and its members cherished their ancestral culture, the structure used the model of the NGAA, albeit the tenets clearly spelled out we are Americans first as the time required. Ninety-three years hence, we are still here and many of these aims and statements remain as valid today as in the founding year, 1919, and in 1927, when the Faust Book was published. And what has become of us? After many decades of public affairs activities and visits to the halls of government with concerns of our community, we have elected to limit such programs in favor of a "not-for-profit-status" to occasional expression of concerns to our legislators. This is due, in part, to the wishes of a majority of those who simply want to enjoy the fraternal and social aspects that membership conveys. Then again, these affairs are not what they used to be when Units had Ladies' Auxiliaries cook, bake, and host splendid gatherings, thereby creating the funds for educational awards and for outings and for various benevolent services. Today, with many women engaged in professional lives, with men also being just too busy, and many of us retired, we use electronic communications for work, or for play, and for social contacts. No more are the "Kaffeeklatsch" gatherings, game nights, bowling leagues, beach outings, and Steuben tours. There are also no more "lobbying" trips. Yet, we still have Steuben News as a forum of expression. We endeavor to uphold educational programs and historic sites' preservation and we still get German soul food in a few remaining ethnic restaurants or banquet halls and enjoy our musical heritage. But maybe it is time that we pull ourselves up by our bootstraps and reach our full potential again; especially when we are so deeply troubled by the direction our nation is taken and when we think of Carl Schurz's credo: "My country, when right to be kept right, when wrong to be put right." If someone asks you why American citizenship is a requisite for membership in the Steuben Society of America and why we tenaciously cling to that tenet, I hope this review will enlighten and create a better understanding of the uniqueness of this 93-year-old organization. The Statement of the Goals of the Steuben Society of America currently reads: The purpose of the Steuben Society of America is to educate the public about matters of interest to American citizens of German descent and their families to encourage their participation in public affairs and to enhance the understanding of the contributions made by such citizens to the development of the United States. A Visit to the Pastorius Unit in Philadelphia
With my husband's election to the National Chair, Bob made a promise to get to know the members of the Society better and we both look forward to visiting as many Units as possible in the months to come. A meeting of the Pastorius Unit No 38 was the first occasion we had to get better acquainted. Thus, Bob and I drove to Philadelphia to attend the meeting at the Vereinigung Erzgebirge. As we came down a beautiful tree-lined road, we parked near an impressive memorial that was actually a piece of the former Berlin Wall. The gracious Unit Chairlady, Sister Irmgard Martino received us warmly and we were treated to a delicious lunch before the official Unit meeting was called to order. Again, we received a cordial welcome and Bob introduced himself, detailed his North German derivation, his education, and his history as a member of the Steuben Society of America. He also expressed that he hopes to make changes that will advance the Society's goals. He stated that he welcomes and invites ideas and suggestions from the membership. Bob emphasized that the Unit's delegates to the National Council play a significant and important role as ambassadors who help to create a constructive dialogue as they have their voices heard,
We found the members to be active and enthusiastic. Steuben Recognition Day at Valley Forge National Historic Park in Pennsylvania, on the second Sunday in October, is their most ambitious project. The date for this year is October 14, at 2:00 PM and members and friends of the Steuben Society of America are invited to attend the ceremony. Complimentary food and refreshments will be offered at the Vereinigung Erzgebirge afterwards. Vouchers for food will be handed out at the park ceremony. For bus tickets from the park to the restaurant, further info, or if you are bringing a large group, please notify: Erwin Stielow at 215-969-4166 or Tom Carroll at 215-368-5633. We thank the Pastorius Unit for their enjoyable hospitality and attention and we look forward to further expression of their thoughts and ideas. ************************** Our Founders' Day and Armed Forces Day Recognition this year was made more meaningful by the presence of veterans who were invited special guests. We welcomed Robert "Bob" Romano and Melody Thomas from the Rusy-Bohm Legion Post in Islip. NY, John Forte and Frank Sposato from Commack, and Huntington, NY respectively, and Ralph B. Cirulli from Port Chester, NY. Special thanks go to Shirley Grenz of the Peter Muehlenberg Unit #398 in New Jersey, and Theresa Bezold of the Dr. Gottlieb C. Berkemeier Unit in Westchester as well as the Senator Robert Wagner Unit of Islip and the Schmitt-Vogler Unit No 998 of Huntington, NY who sponsored our veterans. Happy 300th Birthday, Frederick the Great!
Visitors to the Army Barracks at Carlisle, PA will be astonished at the statue of a European monarch on American soil at this location. This is the US Army War College; it is accessible only through a visitors' gate with thorough inspection of not only the visitor but the interior and exterior of his car. The eight-foot bronze statue of Frederick the Great, formerly King of Prussia, is located at the end of the Parade Ground, and in a garden-like setting surrounded by Japanese cherry trees, officer housing, and a band stand. It would be unthinkable to see at this location Frederick's contemporaries such as Louis XVI, King of France, Catherine the Great of Russia, or Maria Theresa, Empress of Austria. In order to cultivate good relationships between Germany and the United States, Emperor Wilhelm II of Germany donated the statue of his ancestor, who was a symbol of German military skill and administrative competence, to the US. The statue was erected in 1904 at the Army War College in Washington, DC, and unveiled by President Theodore Roosevelt. Two months later, radicals tried to blow up the statue with explosives but failed. The statue was removed during WWI, returned in 1927, and taken down again during WWII. In 1951, the War College was moved from Washington, DC, to the Carlisle Barracks. In 1954, "Freddie" was moved to this location, and re-erected in an inconspicuous location overlooking the Parade Ground. It is understandable that the statue of Frederick the Great was concealed and kept out of sight whenever the country faced a threat. Like a good omen, it witnessed the rise of the United States to a world superpower during the last one hundred years. Adding to the mystery, there is a town and county in Pennsylvania named "King of Prussia." This puzzle is not completely resolved even by inquisitive historians. The county was first mentioned in 1718 when a Welsh Quaker and his wife Reeves founded Reevesville. He constructed a small cottage which turned into an inn by 1769. After he hired a manager by the name of Jimmy Berry the inn became known as "Berry's Tavern." General George Washington visited the tavern on Thanksgiving Day in 1777. A few weeks later, he and the Continental Army camped nearby at Valley Forge. A local petition was signed in 1786 identifying the tavern as "King of Prussia," and a wooden sign depicted King Frederick II of Prussia. It might have kept its name in honor of Benjamin Franklin's pro-American satirical essay "An Edict by the King of Prussia." Events of the last 225 years have been favorable to the development of the county's 8.5 square miles. It became the home of the King of Prussia Mall, one of the largest shopping complexes in the United States, with average sales of $600 per square foot, among the highest in the country. Roughly 200 companies have headquarters or regional offices in the area. Bordering King of Prussia is Valley Forge where the drillmaster Friedrich von Steuben volunteered his indispensable services to the revolutionary cause during the brutally cold winter of 1778. General Friedrich von Steuben, a one-time member of the elite General Staff of Frederick the Great of Prussia, met Benjamin Franklin in Paris in 1777. Franklin persuaded him to volunteer his military services to the cause of the American revolution. He trained the inexperienced colonial troops adapting Prussian military tactics to American conditions. He hammered an efficient fighting force into shape against all odds, with stronger morale and discipline than they had ever known. Although Frederick had never visited America, he left traces of admiration which are not well known. The enlightened King of Prussia stayed neutral during the War of Independence, and he was the first to acknowledge General Washington's victory and America's independence. The first free-trade agreement between Prussia and America was signed two years after the war ended, exchanging tobacco from Virginia with linen from Silesia. John Quincy Adams, 5th US President and envoy to the Prussian court, is quoted as saying in His Silesian Letters in 1801 "Immortal Frederick!" On his throne he was only a king, on the battlefield a hero, in his entertaining discussions a philosopher, historian and poet, but in his eager promotion of compulsory school attendance he was truly the Great Father of his country and benefactor of mankind. Prussia and America had enjoyed by that time 15 years of friendly relations and trade agreements. Numerous towns and cities, especially those close to the Federal capital of Washington, DC, were named after him like Fredericksburg, VA and Frederick, MD. They remind us to this day that the overwhelming majority of the American population shared this admiration for Prussia and their great king. One of the greatest political developments of the 18th century was the transformation of Brandenburg-Prussia into a major European power. Frederick's father, Frederick Wilhelm I, known as the "Soldier King", was a devout Calvinist who deplored waste and ostentation, and maintained rigorous financial and moral standards. This Spartan ruler approached affairs of state as all business and little pleasure. His standards of frugality were extreme. Uncluttered by royal ceremony he attempted to supervise everything himself. Nearly 70% of the state's expenditure went to the army. At the same time, his foreign policy was largely pacific. His greatest achievements were in civic affairs, reforming the bureaucracy, establishing a sound economy, and raising state revenues. While major European powers had financial deficits, Prussia had surpluses. It was this ruler, with his principles of "order, discipline and work", who created the deep-rooted tradition of subordination to the state in modern Germany. When Frederick II became king in 1740, he inherited the forth-largest army and the richest treasury in Europe. He wasted no time putting both to use. He continued his father's efforts to build up a powerful Prussian state. He waged nearly continuous wars for 23 years with his army of 230,000 soldiers mostly in the field. Like a typical 18th century commander, he retained nearly all authority. He was also a prolific writer whose complete works were published in 30 volumes. Among his works are writings addressed to his generals instructing them in the science of warfare. He was an ardent admirer of Voltaire whom he popularized in his writings. An enlightened autocrat, he described himself as the "First Servant of the State", and the father of his people. Under Frederick's rule, Prussia was considered the best-governed state in Europe. Nonetheless, his reforms were a continuation of his father's mercantilism, rather than changes of his own. By the end of his reign, Prussia had become a model for bureaucratic organization, military reform, and enlightened rule. In recognition of his accomplishments, future generations would remember him as "Frederick the Great". When he died in 1786, his body was entombed next to his father in the Potsdam Garrison Church. Near the end of WWII, Hitler ordered the coffins of Frederick and his father to be transferred first to an underground bunker near Berlin, and then hidden in a salt mine. The coffins were moved to Burg Hohenzollern close to Hechingen, Wuerttemberg, shortly after WW II. He arrived at his final resting place after Germany's reunification in the Kaiser Friedrich Mausoleum in Sanssouci's Church of Peace in Potsdam. Frederick the Great had a major impact on European history, and his influence can be felt in Germany to this day. In this country, however, he remains largely unknown, and his statue survives in a tucked-away corner out of public view. It should be remembered that one of his disciples, Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben, used Prussian-based drill to transform the Continental Army from a rag-tag collection of troops into a disciplined fighting force which was able to defeat the British, and win independence for this country. Without von Steuben's contribution, the American Revolution might well have failed, and this country might still be living under British colonial rule. As we celebrate the 300-year anniversary of Frederick the Great's birthday, we should remember that he was the source of Prussian military discipline which enabled this country to win its freedom.
************************** National Chairman's Message: It certainly has been a busy time since I was elected your National Chairman on April 28 of this year and I came to realize how much coordination is needed to run the Society. Thankfully, the Board of Officers and other members extended their help in many ways. We were able to organize the Founders' Day celebration in just a few weeks, thanks to a collaboration of the former Schmitt-Vogler Unit Chairlady, Barbara Yager, as dinner chairperson, with National Council treasurer Phyllis Kurz as Journal Chair and financial coordinator, and with National Secretary Ilse Hoffmann as overall Program Coordinator. Elyse Land and Margo Collins helped with communications and Christine Harvey with publicity. We had a most enjoyable Founders' Day and Armed Forces Day recognition at the Watermill Caterers in Smithtown, NY. Our Education Committee had the assistance of First Vice Chairman Bill Hettel in presenting our annual Steuben Award at the Naval Academy, and the Dr. Gilbert Spross Unit Chairlady, Carol Ann Fischer, did the honors at West Point in our continuing annual recognition of excellence among graduates in the USMA's German language department. The Education Committee plans to collaborate with the NY Steuben Parade Committee and the Sons of the Revolution in NY State in presenting a lecture, honoring our former John Peter Zenger Unit Chairman, the late Erick Kurz, at Fraunces Tavern in Manhattan. This will be part of the German American Friendship Week in early September. The Steuben Society-sponsored lecturer will be Nancy Demyttenaere, Curator of the Steuben Historic Site in Remsen, NY, an avid Steuben history researcher. Her program will be presented as part of a museum tour and dinner at Fraunces Tavern. Reservations will have to be made and all details will be announced in due time via the NY Steuben Parade Committee http://www.germanparadenyc.org/events.html This year's NY Steuben Parade will step off on September 15 at noon. I hope you will join us and march with us. See our NY State Council Parade Coordinator Ursula Closson at the assembly point near Fifth Avenue (exact location to be announced). Make early reservations for the Oktoberfest beer tent in Central Park if you intend to take that in. Looking ahead and evaluating the wisdom and feasibility of holding Founders' Day in Texas, next year, we would like to elicit responses from the Units and individual members with regard to a program proposed as a preliminary outline by National Council Financial Secretary Larry Rugen (see below). We certainly would like to hold the next election meeting of the National Council under the auspices of a visit to our Prince von Solms Unit in New Braunsfeld, TX. Sightseeing, the meeting as such, and a banquet would cover a Wednesday through Sunday morning period, and we were advised that April 17-21, or April 24-28 would be the best possible times to visit. Richard Odorfer and the members of the Prince von Solms Unit would very much like to welcome Steubenites from near and far and they have already made constructive suggestions for an enjoyable visit as you will see in Larry Rugen's article below. Please give us your ideas by e-mail via Larry1800@aol.com or by mail to the office at 1 South Ocean Avenue, Suite 217, Patchogue, NY, 11772. You may also contact me at any time via cell phone at 516-857-4235. In October of this year, we will recognize the 25th anniversary of modern-day German American Day proclamations. All Units and all organizations are asked to make an effort to celebrate in their region as they did in all the years since President Reagans proclamation in 1987. If you happen to be in the nation's capital you may catch the celebration in the German-American Friendship Garden or other events staged by local German American organizations. You may also want to visit the German American Heritage Museum. Look for further announcements in the next Steuben News and other media. One special wish of mine is to bring back to Steuben News the publications we title "Profiles of Steubenites." Many of you have a story to share of your roots, your upbringing, your successes, and perhaps even your failures. We can always learn from one another. Will you kindly write to us, or, if you prefer, ask for an interview by our editorial committee, and we help you to write your story in brief. I thank you in advance for this cooperation and I look forward to celebrating our German-American heritage and culture with you all. Fraternally, Steubenites and Friends, Shall We Invade Texas in 2013? Have you ever wanted to see the Alamo? Have you experienced the lovely sites of San Antonio and the Texas Hill Country? What do you know about the history of Germans in Texas? The members of our Society's Prince von Solms Unit would like us "to come on down" and they tell us that weather-wise April is the best time to visit. Therefore, we are considering scheduling the next election meeting of the National Council to be held in New Braunfels or San Antonio and to build a sight-seeing tour and a banquet or dinner dance, perhaps even the Founders' Day celebration around the meeting. The visitors may decide to add a few vacation days before or after the official program to explore as much as possible of the area. Retirees surely might plan a vacation at that time. Those who hold a job may want to see if they can get time off. In any case, our Units are encouraged to elect for the year 2013 National Council delegates who can offer their time and resources to travel; Units should also plan giving them a subsidy for the cost of the official part of the meeting, if at all possible.The time to design the program is NOW, and we invite those interested in the program to voice their preferences and send us comments. The time frame for the official part would be: (a) April 17- April 20, or (b) April 24-28, 2013. How do you reach New Braunfels? San Antonio is closer to New Braunfels (27 miles) than is Austin (52 miles), but from New York Airports there are few direct flights to San Antonio, while more than 20 direct flights by various carriers depart for Austin. The cost of flights runs between $340 and $400 at this time. Some cost-saving may be obtained by choosing stop-over flight schedules, if you do not mind the inconvenience. Hotel choices are many. Brother Odorfer of the Prince von Solms Unit named the Faust Hotel as one possibility. There are others also with stays priced around $99.00 to $120 pp/night which would include breakfast. There would also be a discount once we book a block of rooms for the Society. What to see? Brother Odorfer writes: "The Museum and Lindheimer Haus are within walking distance of the Faust Hotel, as are numerous antique shops, restaurants and historic business establishments. If you'd like to see all the sights below, it could well take you two weeks, so please plan accordingly." New Braunfels: Fredericksburg: The San José Mission about 30 minutes from San Antonio is the best preserved mission in Texas. Its exhibitions tell the story of mission life. On Sundays, there is a Mariachi Mass held at the Mission that is open to the public. The Park Service owns the Mission and along with interesting displays in the visitors' center, it shows a short film of the area's history. Please contact me to let me know who among you is interested to take part or at least likely so, once we work out the details. My e-Mail address is Larry1800@aol.com . Please address surface mail to Steuben Society of America, 1 South Ocean Avenue, Suite 217, Patchogue, NY 11772. Muehlenberg Unit's 2012 Steuben Award for Excellence in German
For over sixty documented years, the Peter Muehlenberg Unit No. 398 of the Steuben Society has awarded annual Steuben Awards in about a dozen high schools and Rutgers University in New Jersey. This award is presented to outstanding students of the German language based on the recommendations of their teachers. It consists of a framed plaque, an information package, and a check for college graduates. It is very popular among students and German language teachers because it not only rewards them for their efforts, but also because it is usually the only award given by an outside organization, apart from the awards within the schools. At this year's award ceremony of the German Department, Hans Arndt, Chairman of the Peter Muehlenberg Unit, presented the award to selected recipients from Rutgers and Cook college, William Murphy and Sherylanne Meisner. Their interest in the German language and culture is best explained in their own words (see page 4 for photo). Here is Sherylanne Meissner's story: "My background is Filipino from my mother's side, and my father is of German descent. As kids, every Christmas my brother and I sang in the Trenton German Singing Society (The Arbeiter Maenner & Damenchor) where my father is a member. So, since I was already a little familiar with the German language and culture, I decided I should take German in high school. Moreover, I saw it as an opportunity to bond with my Dad, a history buff who himself knows some German. In 2008, I was so delighted when I visited Germany, Austria and Switzerland with my language class that I decided that I had to keep studying German in college. Both in 2010 and 2011, I participated in the Rutgers in Berlin summer study abroad program. Soon I will graduate with my degree in German Studies, and a minor in Asian Studies. I am a member of the Phi Beta Kappa honor society and Delta Phi Alpha German Honor Society. This September, I will begin my 10-month Fulbright grant to assist in teaching English in Germany. After this, I hope to go to graduate school, probably to study international relations." William Murphy's story is somewhat different but echoes the same sentiments: "My primary reason for studying the German Language stems from my immense enjoyment of German literature, global history, and, naturally, the sound of the language itself. As a child, my parents and I lived in the outskirts of Frankfurt for a short while; my grandparents also spent many years in Germany, both for business and recreation. This made an impression on me, as I can strongly remember walking through a market, confused as to why people were saying "donkey" (danke) to one another. Unfortunately, my stay in Germany was destined to last only half a year. The journey to learning German started in high school where, after wanting to choose German to fulfill my language requirement, I was saddened to hear that the program had been scrapped. Instead, I decided to study Latin; I wanted a "difficult language that would challenge me and introduce me to some of the most important literature in the world. I figured Latin would be a good second place. My Latin instructor for the next four years turned out to be German; he was a great inspiration to me, both in the study of Latin, and my eventual choice of German as a college major. Through the years, I listened to German songs, memorized the lyrics and eventually became more confident with pronunciation although the grammar remained an enigma. Once I entered university, I immediately knew that I was going to study that wonderful language of Goethe, Heine and Celan, to name but a few. Throughout my time at Rutgers, I came to read and learn of many great works of German literature. I was fixated by tales of old heroes, laughed at stories of Eulenspiegel and Muenchhausen, and cried at the heavy poetry of Paul Celan. All in all, I would characterize my studies as very important for forming me into the person I am today. I like to think that I am better equipped to see nuance and detail in the world because of the historical and cultural lessons I have been given. It is with a bittersweet happiness that I move on from the Rutgers German program, and out into the world, but I will always be grateful for the lessons that I have learned. For the next year or so, I plan on living and working in Germany with the help of my grandparents; my intention is to become as acquainted with the language as possible. While books teach one many nuances of a language, being there is no replacement for speaking and using that language to interact on a day-to-day basis. While working, I also wish to study a few disciplines that I did not have the opportunity to peruse here in the US, specifically programming and IT. My ultimate goal is to find a niche in Germany, make myself useful, and eventually to set down some roots." The example of these two outstanding students of the German language illustrate how their language studies have opened their horizons, and introduced them into another culture and the world. With the older generation of German speakers fading, the Steuben Society should do its utmost to encourage the study of German culture among the younger generation in order to maintain its presence and influence in this country. We invite other units to adopt Steuben Award programs which are available at little cost, in their respective areas. ************************** New Braunfels TX Unit Founder Receives Prestigious Arts Award The Greater New Braunfels Arts Council held its 32nd annual Dinner with the Arts on January 21, 2012. Members of the N.B. Arts Council are not only local artists, but also talented musicians, actors, dancers and patrons of the arts and culture. The evening began with a wine reception and dinner, followed by a show featuring songs, dance, poetry reading and an act from a current New Braunfels Theatre Company play. The night's attractions concluded with the Council's awards presentation. The most coveted award, "The Individual of the Year," was won by Brother Ron Evans. Of the many unique achievements and innovations Ron Evans contributed to several organizations that made them more successful in helping the community, the Presenter of the award made it clear that founding the first Steuben Society of America Unit in Texas - Prince Solms von Braunfels - was Ron's most important achievement. Most council members and guests had never heard of the Steuben Society before, but they do now. ************************** News From the Robert F. Wagner Unit The Robert F. Wagner Unit Islip, NY marched in the Islip Memorial Day Parade in May and was sponsored by the Rusy-Bohm Post #411 of the American Legion. The parade route was on Main Street from Saxon Avenue, East to Islip Town Hall. Refreshments were graciously served by the American Legion after the days' speakers were finished. The parade had been in doubt due to cutbacks in the Police Department budget. The Legion worked with Suffolk County to find a way to allow it to go on. As the Commander of the Rusy-Bohm post said to me: "After all, when we give flags to the families of our fallen soldiers, we tell them it is from a grateful nation, and that we won't forget." That is why it is so important to us to show up. ISLIP UNIT SCHOLARSHIP WINNER
In 1917, at the end of WWI, there was a widespread backlash of hostility against anyone and anything perceived as German. This extended to German-born people who had become American citizens. In their defense, Germans who became naturalized Americans, and Americans of German descent, joined together in May of 1919 to form a socio-political organization in order to support the American government and American institutions, and to educate the public as to the ideals of these so called "German-Americans." This organization became known as The Steuben Society of America. One way of ensuring the future of America is to support the widespread involvement of its young people in the political process. So it is with great pleasure that the Robert F. Wagner Unit #165 awards this scholarship to James Pedersen who has shown himself to be an excellent example of that involvement. On May 31st, I went to the Islip High School to award a $300 Scholarship to James Pedersen on behalf of the Islip Unit. His record is too long to include all of it, but here are some of the highlights: James had a Weighted GPA of 91.47%. He is an AP Scholar as well as a member of the Tri-M Honor Society. He has been a member of the science, history, math clubs, and has appeared in the school play as a lead, as well as being in the tech crew. He has also been in the band and orchestra throughout high school and has a long list of community service. These are some of the things one of his teachers had to say about James: "James Pedersen has a passion for American History and American politics. James is a man of ideas who understands the importance of studying the past to understand where we are in the world today. I have been teaching American History for over sixteen years and James stands out as a true scholar and a gentleman. James can discuss Obama's foreign policy, the Republican debates, and the current decisions of the Supreme Court on any given day. Often, young people are apathetic about current events and politics; James is a splendid exception." "He has an outstanding resume, and he is destined for greatness." "James is one of the best students I have ever taught." "I am honored to be his teacher, and I am proud to be his friend." ---Submitted by Barbara DeOliveira,
************************** ************************** The German faculty and many satisfied graduates from Temple believe we have an outstanding undergraduate program in German and can offer students a successful experience acquiring German language skills, and discovering the wide vistas of German culture. We are convinced that Temple University is the right place to study German. We are proud of our accomplishments in the German Studies Section of the Languages Department. We feel we offer a complete and integrated program of courses, activities and contacts to enable students to reach their highest level of proficiency. In addition to an undergraduate major, minor or certificate program, there are a number of co-curricular options directly related to German Studies: We have a very active Temple University German Society led by students, but open to all who are interested, including in the German cultural community of the Philadelphia area. The Temple University German Society also maintains close working relationships with the German Society of Pennsylvania; Steuben Society of America; the German-American Committee of Philadelphia; and similar German cultural organizations. Temple students march every year in the Philadelphia Steuben Day parade at the end of September, and later attend the annual 'Oktoberfest'. Temple boasts an active chapter of the National German Honorary Academic Society - Delta Phi Alpha. The motto and mission of Delta Phi Alpha state that the organization seeks to recognize excellence in the study of German and to provide an incentive for higher scholarship. The Society aims to promote the study of the German language, literature and civilization and endeavors to emphasize those aspects of German life and culture which are of universal value and which contribute to the search for peace and truth. Temple's chapter was founded in 1949. The Temple chapter counts over 30 members who have qualified based on their academic performance and achievements, commitment to the study of German, and community service. Temple features the opportunity for semester or year abroad study at the German universities of either Hamburg or Tuebingen for advanced students. For Hamburg study, there is a scholarship awarded to a Temple German student on a competitive basis. We have sponsored for almost a decade, an acclaimed Summer Intensive German Program at the Herder Institut InterDaf of the University of Leipzig for four credits in Summer Session I. Dozens of Temple students have availed themselves of this unique opportunity to acquire higher levels of proficiency in a brief, but intense manner while engaged with the spectacular music capital of Germany. Frequent seminars, guest lecturers on German topics, research projects, hosting German school groups, a language competition for local students, national scholarships, Fulbright awards, and much more underscore the excellence the Temple German Studies Program provides. For more information, go to: Soul of Germany: Chapter V Once the Christians entered, Acre disputes erupted among them over the spoils of war. King Richard was exceptionally surly, causing King Philip of France to abandon the Crusade, and Richard's insolence to Leopold almost ended in a duel. Freeing Jerusalem, the main objective of the Crusade had to be abandoned because of the friction between the leaders. News of Friedrich Barbarossa's death was received with disbelief back in Germany. Dreamy hopes of his return gave rise to a legend that he is not dead but wrapped in sleep in the Untersberg Mountain near Salzburg. And when the ravens no longer fly around that mountain, the beloved Friedrich will awaken and commence a tremendous battle in which the whole world will join, and the good shall overcome the wicked. Heinrich VI succeeded his father on the German throne. He and his wife Constance inherited Sicily and southern Italy in 1189, and those territories were then incorporated into the German Empire. In 1193, Heinrich VI called the nobles to Worms, to hear charges against King Richard who had been arrested while traveling secretly through Germany on his way back to England from the Crusade. He was charged with suspicion of murder, but found innocent by the Imperial German Court. But the Court convicted him of withholding from the German crusaders their fair share of booty gained at the siege of Acre. England was forced to pay 150,000 silver marks compensation to free its king. While marching through Italy in 1197 on the Fourth Crusade, Heinrich VI died of malaria. Philip of Swabia, another son of Barbarossa was elected emperor but the Welfs recognized Otto of Brunswick instead, as did England, France and the pope. When Philip refused the pope's demand to abdicate he was excommunicated from the Church and civil war broke out again in Germany. Just when it appeared the war would be won by Philip, he was murdered by Count von Wittelsbach of Bavaria. Otto IV was then crowned emperor. In an effort to make peace with the Waiblingen party, Otto IV became betrothed to the late Philips' ten year-old daughter Beatrix. The Children's Crusade The Catholic Church reached the height of its medieval power during the reign of Pope Innocent III. He preached vigorously for more crusades, but the people had wearied of them and the heavy taxation they cost. The religious fervor of crusading had paled, replaced by greedy interests of traders, plunderers, and the jealous rivalries of port cities. The Church had become rich from the great wealth willed to it by affluent nobles who fell in the crusades. In 1212, an extraordinary event occurred in the small French village of Cloyes. A twelve year-old shepherd boy named Stephen, was given a letter from a stranger while tending to his flock in the fields. The stranger misled the boy to believe that Jesus had commissioned him to lead a children's crusade to win back the Holy Land. The liar promised, with you at the head, the children should win "that victory which soldiers and nobles failed to gain." Stephen was a gifted speaker, full of emotion with the high duty that had called him, and scurried from village to village shouting that "for the last time we have heard of defeat...hereafter shall children show warriors and barons how invincible are youths when God leads them." Soon all France knew of him and his thousands of followers, even the king, who agreed to speak to Stephen. The child repeated to his monarch, Philip Augustus, what the stranger told him, and presented to the king the "celestial" letter. It commanded the king to furnish aid for a Fourth Crusade. Philip Augustus took an interest in this strange happening and requested advice from the most learned professors in Paris. The scholars attributed the phenomena to a work of Satan, cautioning the king to prevent the crusade, which he did in a royal edict - but it went unenforced. An estimated 30,000 French children assembled at Vedome and marched to Marseilles, where upon their arrival at the port city, unscrupulous ship captains sold the innocent children as slaves to the Arabs. Hundreds of them died in shipwrecks, while the rest suffered an even worse fate. Word of Stephen's preachings reached Germany that summer. A young boy in Cologne named Nicholas ignited the spirit for a German children's crusade, and recruited multitudes of boys and girls in the cause, precipitating a religious fervor in the Rhineland that dwarfed the commotion Stephen had stirred up in all France. A very noticeable feature of the German children's appeal, which was both holy and strange for that violent time - it was one of peace. The Germans youths yearned to convert the Muslims, not do battle with them, and instead of singing war songs, they sang, "We go to get the Cross beyond the sea, and baptize the Muslim infidels." The mania to join the movement increased daily, as processions marched through the German streets towards the assembly points. Worried parents and saddened priests tried vainly to stop the children from going on the crusade. Only crafty and unprincipled clergy encouraged the youngsters, hoping to incite the adults to the cause. Desperate fathers confined their children with chains, or locked them in their rooms, but the youngsters mourned so, their hearts pining to serve God, that their lives frequently became endangered by disease, forcing fearful parents to release them. Children crusaders numbering in the thousands crowded the streets of Cologne, the final assembly point, and had the recruitment period lasted for a longer time, their numbers would have been staggering. Many of the children were of noble birth, and an attempt was made to enforce discipline. A uniform was adopted for them consisting of a long gray coat with a cross sewn on the breast, a broad rimmed hat, and a palmer's staff. The average age of the group, consisting of mostly boys was twelve years-old; the "army' possessed a sort of character. The children marched out of Cologne in the hot summer of 1212. Anguished parents bade them farewell weeping hysterically. From Cologne, their route lay along the Rhine River, through dense forests habituated by wolves, bears and rough men. Crosses and banners carried proudly by them stretched for miles. As they marched along, stories were exchanged among them about their lives, ranging widely from the noble child, who had lived in a castle telling of knightly deeds his family had performed, to the serf-child, who could only relate tales of the forest. They sang songs all day, many of which they composed on the march, one of the very few that survived goes: Fair are the meadows, fairer still the woodlands, robed in the blooming garb of spring, Jesus is fairer, Jesus is purer, Who makes our saddened heart to sing. For most of these youngsters, it was the first time they were away from their parents. The day's march especially wearied the girls and very young ones. Along the way cruel barons occasionally swept down on the children and then held them in a long servitude. Their money was quickly spent up, or stolen from them by evil adults who had joined the crusade for immoral purposes. Priests too were present, but sadly, not all the clergy came along to pray. Weary and worn, yet, still singing, the children finally reached the Swiss Alps, where they rested in hostile ravines. Only half would survive the difficult mountainous crossing into Italy. The little ones drowned in raging streams, fell off the high cliffs, and many died for lack of strength, for berries were the only food to be found. Most had become barefoot after their scanty shoes turned to powder from hiking; and forced to walk unprotected on sharp Alpine rocks, caused deep lacerations to their feet. When the sun began to set, the children would end their day's trek, collapsing under a tree or huddle together as a shield against the piercing blasts from the glaciers above. "What a sight did the Spirit of the Alps behold, as he saw these encampments, where, under the cold solemn starlight or in the chilling rain, thousands of boys and girls lay sleeping, and, in dreams of home and of the Holy Land where they would return in triumph, forgetting the trials of the day...How many fell into the sleep that knows no waking, and, when comrades rose to start in the morning, remained cold and stiff where they had dropped at evening! They could not be buried in the frozen earth; their bodies were left to molder away to dust." In the middle of the Alps crossing, the children stumbled upon a monastery atop Mt. Cesnis, where they rested. Kind monks fed and comforted them during the respite, bolstering their faith in mankind. Descending from the summit of the Alps with the sight of Italy in the distance, filled the hearts of those who survived with joy. Thinking all their sufferings had ended, the children suddenly had to endure the wrath of the German hating Guelphs, becoming innocent victims of political intrigue. Ghibeline priests tried to protect the youngsters, but could not prevail over the Guelphs, who subjected the little ones to cruelties of all sorts. They ran from peril to peril, as Italian lords abducted as many as they could for slaves. Brindisi, on the southern Italian coast was their frightful journey's end - it was a city of horror for those who made it that far - especially for the girls. Here, many were mutilated, crippled, and then sold into slavery. The bishop of Brindisi, a kind-hearted man, sheltered the survivors, and then labored to undeceive them. Fortunately, most listened to the bishop's wise counsel; those who didn't, embarked on ships sailing for Palestine, never to be seen again. Nearly 100,000 boys and girls participated in the Children's Crusade. It lasted only eight months. Those who survived the tortures were warned by Pope Innocent III that because of the vows they took, upon reaching maturity, they must respond to any call for a future crusade. Emperor Friedrich II, the First Renaissance Man
In 1212, the same year as the Children's Crusade, Germany had fallen into civil war again, and for that reason perhaps, with the imperial government occupied with the fury engulfing the empire, had neglected to send soldiers along with the children for protection, direction, and counseling. The political intrigues began when Emperor Otto IV had been excommunicated from the Church by Pope Innocent III, in reprisal for his refusal to cede properties he had promised to the papacy for its support for him in his war with Philip. Also, Barbarossa's grandson, Friedrich, came of age in 1212, and returned to Germany from his guardianship with Pope Innocent III in Italy. The majority of princes elected Friedrich to replace Otto IV on the throne, causing hostilities to break out between the Welfs and Waiblingers. Germany's war soon spread westward involving England and France. Otto IV was supported by his uncle, King John of England; and Friedrich had France on his side. At the Battle of Bouvines in France, Otto's forces were soundly defeated, and in 1215, Friedrich II, at age 19, was crowned emperor in Aachen. On his mother's request, Friedrich had grown up in southern Italy under the care of the pope. Out of respect for his papal guardian, the young emperor did not quarrel with the Church as long as Pope Innocent III reigned. But raised amidst clerical politics, Friedrich had observed from close up how Innocent III manipulated the European monarchs, and how the papacy feared a strong German emperor. Contemplating then on his destiny, the young emperor perceived that among his future battles, a conflict with an ambitious pope would be one of them. For that reason, Friedrich II decided to govern the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation from Italy, and also, for he dreaded leaving that beautiful land of his youth. Cont'd Next Month Steuben Society of America to Sponsor Eric Kurz Memorial Lecture at Fraunces Tavern, NYC
The lecturer is Nancy Demyttenaere, Regional Historic Preservation Supervisor, Oriskany Battlefield and Steuben Memorial State Historic Site, a researcher at NYS OPRHP, in partnership with the US National Park Service. Her recent discoveries include fascinating vignettes of von Steuben's life in NY City, where he became a citizen of the republic that he had helped to come into being and she illuminates von Steuben's years in the Mohawk Valley. Masons will find this of particular interest. Reservation for the program, incl. The museum tour, dinner and (intermittently presented) lecture will have to be made. Please watch forthcoming more detailed announcements from the NY Parade Committee at www.germanparadenyc.org and from the Steuben Society of America at www.steubensociety.org Congratulations to National Chairman Bob Land and First Lady Elyse Land on Your 25th Wedding Anniversary! CALENDAR OF EVENTS 9/ 6th 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm. Fraunces Tavern, NYC lecture and dinner $95.00 inc. 3-course meal, beer, wine, soda. Contact: geribrand@gmail.com or 917-929-6260. Checks should be made payable to "Steuben Parade" and mailed to G.A. Steuben Parade c/o Geraldine Brand, 37 Holland Avenue, Floral Park, NY 11001. 9/6 7:00 pm German Genealogy Meeting, Hicksville VFW Hall, 320 S. Broadway (Route 107), Hicksville, NY, www.germangenealogygroup.com 9/7 - 9/9 Annual Oktoberfest, Germania Festival Grounds, 51 Old DeGarmo Rd., Poughkeepsie, NY, Call 845-471-0609 or visit www.germaniapok.com 10/14 2:00 pm Steuben Recognition Day, Valley Forge National Historic Park, PA. Complimentary food and refreshments will be offered at the Vereinigung Erzgebirge afterwards. Vouchers for food will be handed out at the park ceremony. For bus tickets from the park to the restaurant, further info, or if you are bringing a large group, please notify: Erwin Stielow at 215-969-4166 or Tom Carroll at 215-368-5633. 10/28 1:00 - 5:00 pm John Peter Zenger Unit OCTOBERFEST, Plattdeutsche Park, 1132 Hempstead Tpke, Franklin Square, NY. $60 inc: music/dancing appetizers, buffet dinner and desert - Check payable to "JP Zenger Unit 212," Send to: Larry Rugen, 180 N Manhattan Ave Massapequa NY 11758.
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