„Friends Always“ - 60th Anniversary of the Berlin Airlift, Teterboro Airport, Teterboro, NJ
Colonel Halvorsen,
Veterans of the Berlin Airlift,
Tim Chopp,Helga Johnson,
Mr. Trotnow,Mr. Reese
Distinguished visitors,
2008 marks the 60th Anniversary of the Berlin Airlift. Under the motto and banner of “Friends Always”, Germany and the United States commemorate a heroic effort that saved more than 2 million men, women and children from starvation and death. The Berlin Airlift laid the foundation of an enduring and strong friendship between the German and American people.
Today at Teterboro Airport, we are gathered to celebrate the legacy of this exceptional act of humanity. We are also here to honor 12 men, whose hands and hearts helped to save others. Germany will always be grateful for the generosity and kindness shown by the American people in those times of need and suffering.
On behalf of the German people, and especially of the people of Berlin, I feel honored to present the German-American-Friendship Award to veterans of the Berlin Airlift today.
Gentlemen, your efforts were vital in accomplishing the seemingly impossible: You supplied a city for almost a year by air. You used friendship as a diplomatic weapon. In doing so, you won a strategic battle of the Cold War.
For 322 days, in more than 270.000 flights, you brought 1.7 million tons of food and supplies to the war-stricken people of Berlin.
Colonel Gail Halvorsen, who became known as the “Candy Bomber”, brought back the sweet joys of childhood to the hungry children of Berlin. “Uncle Wiggly Wings”, I am happy that you are joining us this afternoon. We are honored to have you here.
A former child of Berlin is also here with us today: Helga Johnson, welcome.
I am standing in front of one “Master of the Berlin Skies”. Planes like this Douglas C-54 were the backbone and the workhorse of the “Big Lift”. Berliners lovingly called them “Rosinenbomber”, “Candy bombers”. More than 300 of these aircrafts were operating 24 hours a day.
When the Airlift began, C-47s were the first planes to fly. But a C-54 could carry 10 tons of cargo. It took about 1300 C-54 flights to meet Berlin’s daily needs. A plane took off almost every three minutes to supply the blockaded city with coal and food.
Pilots and ground crew members worked incessantly to keep the operations running. Among the men, who will receive the German-American-Friendship Award today, we have a C-47 pilot who flew from the 4th day of the Airlift.
We will also honor flight engineers, repair specialists as well as members of the supply squadron. Their hard work and ingenuity made the Airlift happen.
This veteran plane, the C-54 Skymaster “Spirit of Freedom”, now serves as a flying museum. Come and see for yourself, how it still continues its mission of education and remembrance. As a flying memorial and classroom it is dedicated to preserve the memory and legacy of the Berlin Airlift.
We will later hear its melody of hope, the rumbling engines, when Tim Chopp, President of the Berlin Airlift Historical Foundation will take a group of journalists on a flight with the “Spirit of Freedom.”
I am extremely grateful to Tim and all those, like for example Dr. Helmut Trotnow, director of the Allied Museum in Berlin, who work with so much dedication to keep the legacy of this extraordinary humanitarian act alive.
Welcome, Tim, welcome Dr. Trotnow and thank you to you and your staff.
Fuelled by the will to save human lives and to preserve freedom, Berliners and Americans worked hand in hand. The deep bond that formed became one of the most important pillars of German-American friendship. The Berlin Airlift united former enemies that were separated by World War II.
60 years ago, when the Soviet Union blockaded Berlin, Germany’s democratic future was at stake. But through the power of friendship and the dedicated determination of the United States and her Allies, Germany became a free country again. A country that builds its democracy on the rule of law and stands for the values of enlightenment, justice, human rights and tolerance. Today, Berlin is again the capital of the united Germany.
As Ralph Waldo Emerson put it: “The real and lasting victories are those of peace and not of war.” The Berlin Airlift is a story of sacrifice, perseverance – and hope. It remains one of the greatest humanitarian efforts of all times. Its success became a symbol of freedom, while it also built the base for an enduring friendship between Germans and Americans.
This afternoon we are gathered here to celebrate this legacy. There will be a lot of stories and memorabilia to share. We have come together as friends and we will be – Friends Always.
Before I introduce you to Colonel Gail Halvorsen, I would especially like to thank the organizers of the Wings & Wheels Expo, Shea Oakley and Lieutenant Colonel Stephen Riethof of the Aviation Hall of Fame and Museum of New Jersey and their staff for their kind cooperation and effort in making this event happen.
Thank you.
