Heartfelt Danke

The German government recognized veterans of the Berlin Airlift for their bravery and sacrifice during a ceremony at Travis AFB, Calif., Oct. 15 celebrating the airlift’s 60th anniversary and marking the opening of a six-week exhibit at the Travis Air Museum. “Their service and accomplishments will never be forgotten,” said Rolf Schütte, German consul general for the Northwest US. During the ceremony, 23 veterans of the airlift received the German-American Friendship Award, reserved for Americans who make a special contribution to foster German-American relations; they were the first to walk through the 60th anniversary exhibit. Earlier this year, the Berlin air show commemorated the airlift with a special pavilion and speeches by dignitaries including German Chancellor Angela Merkel. The Berlin Airlift remains the largest humanitarian air-relief action in history. (For more, read The Berlin Airlift, an Air Force Magazine article, by Stewart Powell). (Travis report by SSgt. Shaun Emery)