Since 1960 Danube
Swabian Day has been celebrated on the second Sunday in June.
On the 14th of June, 2009 members and friends of our
club gathered together to celebrate the annual festival.
Beginning at 12 Noon you could partake of the delicious
food prepared by Chef Steve Weiss and crew.
Once again you could feast on Rindergulasch or Danube
Swabian bratwurst with sauerkraut.
Equally tasty was the freshly baked Krapfen for
dessert.
The Ladies Auxiliary, under the leadership of Helga
Schlothauer, kept busy with the food distribution and were
always ready to clean up after the program.
The Danube Swabian Blaskapelle took their places
punctually on stage. The
group was lead by its president, Roger Radke, and accompanied
by soloist Michelle Esper.
Around 2 PM the various groups were asked to assemble
in the Pavilion and to gather around the monument.
They were accompanied by flag bearers and the Executive
Committee. A short
commerative ceremony took place.
President Franz Rimpf addressed the group in memory of
those who have passed on.
Hilde Hornung recited a poem and Pastor Horst Hoyer, of
the Protestant Immanuel Church, led the group in prayer.
The Banater Choir, under the direction of Cindy Cornett
and soloist Andrea Ball, sang ‚“ So nimm den meine Hände“.
The Ladies Auxliliary sang „Donauschwaben werden wir
genannt“ along with the Youth Group.
During the singing of „Ich hatt einen Kameraden„
the Youth Group placed a wreath and flowers around the
monument.
Afterwards, the festivities continued in Holzerhalle in
the German-American Cultural Center of the Danube Swabians.
Hilde Hornung, cultural coordinator of the Danube
Swabian Association, USA, and Indrid Dorr, first
Vice-President of the Club and National Pouth Leader of the
Danube Swabian Association, USA, led the program.
Hymns were sung and president Rimpf addressed the
attendees. Guests
and Honorary Guests were introduced.
These included Mrs.Diana Thimmig, Consulate from the
Bundesrepublick of Germany, and Keynote Speaker, Mr. Ed
Tullius, President of the Danube Swabian Foundation, USA and
his wife, who had traveled from Cincinnati, Ohio for this
event.
Richard Welker, President of the Concordia Sport Club,
was also introduced.
He proudly showed the trophy, which had been won by his
team at the National Danube Swabian Soccer Tournament several
weeks earlier.
Ingrid Dorr read a greeting from Robert Filippi, who
has been recently elected as the new President of the Danube
Swabian Assoication of the USA.
He and his wife, Elisabeth are presently on a European
trip.
This was followed by a short presentation of the German
Language School operations.
Mr Ed Tullius mentioned in his speech that he was
honored to be able to deliver a commemorative address on the
Day of the Danube Swabians.
He explained that he explored the Internet to help find
facts regarding the event.
He was surprised to find that this particular Event,
whether in Los Angeles or across the USA, Canada, Europe,
South America, and Australia, is celebrated at different
times. „Everywhere
the Danube Swabians have settled, they maintain their
heritage.“ He
them explained the duties and goals of the Danube Swabian
Foundation, USA, along with its support for the German
language schools, youth and children groups, and sports
associations of the Danube Swabians.
He was very grateful that our Cleveland Club had held a
raffle, whose proceeds would benefit the Foundation.
He also stated it would be nice if our countrymen would
remember the Foundation in their final wishes.
The Banater Choir sang a final two songs.
The Children’s Dance group, under the direction of
Ingrid Dorr, danced their way into the hearts of the
spectators. The
Youth Group, under the direction of Margot Mauer and Mrs.
Erika Rounds, impressed the crowd with their folk dancing and
their sheer numbers. Neverending
applause rewarded the smiling faces of the youth, our future!
Finally, a raffle was held and several happy winners
gratefully accepted their gift baskets.
While the Blaskapella played everyone relaxed together.
As one says, „So jung kumme mir nimmer zamm!“
Karoline
Lindenmaier (Hetzel)
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