I wish to take note of the recognition awarded to Klaus Wust by the German government in the form of the Federal Cross of Merit.
On March 4, 2002, Dr. Hans Ulrich Seidt, the head of the Cultural Department of the German Embassy in Washington, D.C., went to Belle Grove Plantation in the Shenandoah Valley and presented Klaus with the ornate medal on behalf of the German government. Approximately fifty people were in attendance at Bell Grove, which was built by Major Isaac Hite, grandson of Jost Hite, who was an early emigrant and early settler in the Valley. Klaus has worked on the Hite history, and on the programs for research and education at Belle Grove.
The Federal Cross of Merit is the highest award of the Federal Republic of Germany. Dr. Seidt, in presenting the medal, said that it was important that present generations and future generations learn about the common history which brings together Germans and Americans. Following his remarks, Trautlieb Huelz, Attache for Cultural Affairs at the Germany Embassy, directed her comments to Klaus saying,
"It is almost impossible to enumerate all your achievements . . It took countless tasks to convey your message."
Seidt read the citation in German and Wust replied initially in German in honor of Jost Hite. He then added, with a touch of humor for the benefit of the crowd,
"Now, I did not say anything that you should not know."
Wust added that when he began his work the German elements of American culture were not widely recognized. German influences were particularly important because so many Americans are of German descent, and we do not get much credit for it.
"Many Americans believe that everything in their culture came from Great Britain."
In conclusion, Wust stressed the importance of keeping strong ties between Germany and Americans.
"You cannot separate us anymore."
The information pertaining to this award comes from " The Winchester Star ", a newspaper in the Shenandoah Valley. It was brought to my attention by Col. James W. Barnett.
Klaus will be the speaker at the Germanna Reunion Sunday meeting this year. It has been a number of years since he participated in a Germanna Reunion. This will be another chance to hear the gentleman. Perhaps he will be wearing his medal. He deserves it.
(P.S. Klaus came to America not long after WWII, as a short-term student at Bridgewater College. He was amazed to find himself in a community with so many German influences. He started researching these links between Germany and America, and has spent the rest of his life here in this activity. What he has learned has been made available to us.
(18 Mar 02)
We gratefully acknowledge the work of John Blankenbaker who published over 2,500 Germanna History Notes via the Germanna-L@rootsweb.com email list from 1997 to 2008. We are equally thankful to George Durman (Sgt. George) for hosting the list and republishing the notes via rootsweb.com.