German-American Day, Sister City program touted by German officials
Thanks to the wonders of technology, a German journalist and group of officials met with Saxonburg’s mayor and the Butler Eagle to further enhance relations between Germany and Western Pennsylvania.
Translation was necessary at times as the Zoom meeting progressed Wednesday afternoon, which equated to sunset in Muhlhausen in central Germany.
Muhlhausen is the birthplace of John A. Roebling and sister city of Saxonburg, which German Consul General David Gill visited for the first time in August.
On Wednesday, Gill extolled the warm welcome he received from Saxonburg officials, business people and citizens.
“I was overwhelmed by my great hosts. It was almost like a homecoming,” Gill said. “I met so many committed, warm people.”
He said he was surprised by the prosperity of the small, yet vibrant borough.
“I was also impressed by how the people of Saxonburg nurture and take pride in the history of John A. Roebling and the settlers of 190 years ago,” Gill said.
Gill also marveled over the efforts of Mayor Bill Gillespie, Saxonburg Museum curator Fred Caesar and others in the borough to keep alive the memory and achievements of Roebling, who founded Saxonburg with his brother.
“It’s pretty outstanding and unusual,” Gill said. “You should be very happy to have Mayor Gillespie and Fred Caesar, who puts all of his energy into this museum.”
Muhlhausen Mayor Johannes Bruns thanked Gillespie for his efforts in the sister city program, which has seen residents of both cities visit their sister city at least once.
“It has been a real friendship,” Bruns said through the translating skills of fellow Zoom participant, Birte Frerichs of Muhlhausen’s marketing department. “We have seen Mayor Gillespie lots of times.”
Gillespie’s affection for Saxonburg’s sister city is apparent.
“Our relationships with friends in Muhlhausen are very deep,” Gillespie said, “and they run forever as far as we are concerned.”
All on the Zoom call agreed that more young people must be included in the sister city program, perhaps through a student exchange program.
“It is more important than ever that we keep up with this relationship,” Bruns said.
Gillespie said that idea was being discussed just before the coronavirus pandemic descended worldwide.
Gill also mentioned that Oct. 8 is German-American Day, which was proclaimed in 1983, 300 years after Mennonites from Germany arrived in Philadelphia.
“It’s a reminder that a big part of America was shaped by Germans,” Gill said. “It’s a day to emphasize what connects us to each other.”
He said more than 40 million Americans have German ancestry, making German the largest ethnic background in the United States.
