German Navy in New York City
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- (© Germany.info)
During their visit from May 10 to 15, 2009 the Task Group of the two German marine vessels seized the opportunity to act upon a matter, the crew feels strongly about: To commemorate the victims of 9/11, the New York Port Authority enabled the crew to make a visit to the World Trade Center. When the Germans saw the extent of the terrorist attack with their own eyes, the site, where construction is still taking place, left an even stronger impact on them.
After laying a wreath, Captain Beckmann held a speech, in which he remembered those who lost their lives and condemned this act of terrorism. During the following visit at the Tribute WTC Visitor Center, the crew listened to people who were affected by 9/11. Stories, like the one of Port Authority employee Michael Hurley, who could escape from the collapsing building but lost most of his colleagues, deeply moved the audience.
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- (© Germany.info)
In the early afternoon, students from the Sisulu-Walker Charter School in Harlem visited the German Auxiliary Vessel “Frankfurt am Main”. The 4th grade students were highly impressed by Germany’s largest warship. Over typical German “Brezeln” and American doughnuts, the crew members answered numerous questions about their life at sea. After discovering the on board basketball court, the young boys, in particular, recognized their shared interests with the German marines. However, the highlight of the visit, that left the students with lasting impressions on Germany and the German navy, was the tour around the ship. The huge engine in the machine room, as well as the small beds in the cabins, fascinated the children. When they finally reached the bridge, they were allowed to sit in the officer’s chairs, and act as little sailors.
The two German vessels left New York early on the morning of May 15. After three more stops in Halifax, Reykjavik and Liverpool they will arrive in Germany on June 13.
