HOA sings again for German reunification day
| Type of post: | Chorus news item |
| Sub-type: | No sub-type |
| Posted By: | John Braden |
| Status: | Current |
| Date Posted: | Tue, Nov 19 2024 |
The Heart of America Chorus returned to Leavenworth, Kan., Oct. 3 to perform for the 2024 German Unification Celebration, “Der Tag Deutcher Einheit” (The Day of German Unity).
At the invitation of Colonel Michael Kopp -- German liaison officer to the U.S. Army Combined Arms Center, Ft. Leavenworth -- the chorus performed the German National Anthem in German and sang “Lili Marlene” in English and German. The multinational audience joined in singing a verse of that German World War II song, which became popular as a common soldier’s song among the troops of many nations.
Other songs performed for the German officers and their guests from Ft. Leavenworth included the "Star-Spangled Banner" and other American tunes “That’ll Be the Day” and “Tuxedo Junction.”
The commemoration address was delivered by German Major Gen. Jorg See, commander of the 10th armored division. See, who has served as deputy assistant secretary general for NATO defense policy, discussed NATO’s posture in light of the Russian invasion of neighboring Ukraine.
HOA members were dispersed among the officers and spouses for dinner and conversation with families of German, American and other allied service members and civilian representatives. The banquet featured German food and fine German cakes baked by the ladies of the German delegation.
Oct. 3 was selected and first celebrated in 1990 as German Reunification Day, recognizing the end to the post-World War II partitioning of the country into West and East Germany.
At the invitation of Colonel Michael Kopp -- German liaison officer to the U.S. Army Combined Arms Center, Ft. Leavenworth -- the chorus performed the German National Anthem in German and sang “Lili Marlene” in English and German. The multinational audience joined in singing a verse of that German World War II song, which became popular as a common soldier’s song among the troops of many nations.
Other songs performed for the German officers and their guests from Ft. Leavenworth included the "Star-Spangled Banner" and other American tunes “That’ll Be the Day” and “Tuxedo Junction.”The commemoration address was delivered by German Major Gen. Jorg See, commander of the 10th armored division. See, who has served as deputy assistant secretary general for NATO defense policy, discussed NATO’s posture in light of the Russian invasion of neighboring Ukraine.
HOA members were dispersed among the officers and spouses for dinner and conversation with families of German, American and other allied service members and civilian representatives. The banquet featured German food and fine German cakes baked by the ladies of the German delegation.
Oct. 3 was selected and first celebrated in 1990 as German Reunification Day, recognizing the end to the post-World War II partitioning of the country into West and East Germany.
