The German Society of Maryland Vereinsnachrichten

Founded in 1783 and Incorporated by Act of the General Assembly of Maryland Chapter 100, February 3, 1818

Issue 111 October 2018 President’s Message-Anton Smoot Inside this issue: Liebe Mitglieder – Dear Mem- event allows people from all President’s Message 1 bers, walks of life experience a bit of what it is like to be Ger- German Festival 2 As always I hope this man. I personally look for- German Day McDaniel 3 message finds all of our mem- ward to this event because it bers well and safe. Vacations A Thank You 3 gives me an opportunity to are over, Schools are back in see many of the people I usu- New Members 4 session and the nights are get- ally don’t get to see during ting cooler. Yes, summer once the rest of the year. A special Vielen Dank für den 5 again is coming to an end. and warm welcome to all the Freundschaftsgarten Over the next several months new members that joined our Meet Director Armin 6 The German Society has some organization during this Mruck exciting events coming up and event. I encourage all of you to come ation of German-Americans In Sympathy 9 out in support. Please check A complete listing of involved. the calendar and take some all the scheduled events for I encourage all of Getting to Know You 10 time to see what is happening. the German Society and all the German Organizations in you to visit our website and Maryland’s Debt to her 11 Our annual Awards Maryland can be found at check the calendar for all German Citizens Banquet will be held this year www.md-germans.org. All the important and exciting on November 3rd, ,2018. The events that are coming up. Henry Gunther Memorial 11 these organizations are work- Zion Church of Baltimore will We are a very strong organ- Anniversary ing very hard to provide not be once again our venue. only traditional events but ization and we not only Please join us for some out- also encompass new ideas for welcome your input but standing food, entertainment the future. Visit the website encourage your participa- and most importantly, we will and get out amongst with tion. Besides our annual be honoring a long time mem- your fellow Germans! banquet, we already have The purpose of the ber and contributor to not only laid the groundwork for the German Society of the German Society of Mary- I would like to reach 100th Anniversary of the Maryland is to land but also the entire German out to all the German teachers Armistice of World War 1 preserve and Community. This years’ hon- that are also members of the promote the German and the honoring SGT Hen- oree will be Mr. Tom Werner German Society or would like ry Gunther, the last soldier heritage and to learn more about this or- traditions through and more details of this great killed in the war. event will be sent out in the ganization. I welcome any educational, social As always, best and benevolent near future. I encourage all of opportunity to visit your wishes and speedy recovery programs; and to you to attend and honor him school and students to not to any of our sick or shut-in develop the unity for his service. only learn about you but most and continuity of the importantly, provide infor- members and I hope to see German American I would like to express mation on the history and many of you at an event. community in the my gratitude to everyone that purpose of the German Socie- State of Maryland Mit freundlichen Grüssen, not only attended the German ty. Please email me and let Anton G. Smoot Festival this past July but also me know how we can work President those that gave their time at the together to get the next gener- society’s cultural booth. This [email protected]

Pa ge 2 Vereinsnachrichten Issue 111 October 2018

Publication Dates: Unser Kalender January-March: Deadline 12/15 October 6, 2018 Friendship Garden –The Mall in DC April-June: Deadline 3/15 October 16, 2018 German Day at McDaniel’s College July-September: Deadline 6/15 October 16, 2018 Society for the History of Germans in Maryland– Annual Dinner October-December: Deadline 9/15 October 24 & 25, 2018 Sour Beef Event-Zion Church October 24, 2018 German Society Board of Directors Meeting Links: German Society Website: November 3, 2018 German Society Banquet—Zion Church www.germansociety-md.com November 24 & 25, 2018 Christkindlmarkt-Zion Church Deutschamerikanischer Bürgerverein: www.md-germans.org German Marylanders: 118th German Festival www.germanmarylanders.org German American Radio: The curtain closed on cussing the GSM history, germanamericanradio.com the 118th German providing genealogical Festival on July 15th. tips and working our mis- Admittedly, it ap- sion, to protect and per- German Word of the peared that the crowd petuate our culture, lan- was a little less than guage and heritage. Also Issue: Lebenskunst last year, however new this year, the Ar- Is your life as beautiful as a painting in an art when speaking with chives committee dis- gallery? Then you have mastered Lebens- vendors and guests, played some of the im- kunst! they confirmed we portant documents and Lebenskunst means “the art of liv- had another success- historical facts of our ing well”. It comes from the words leben (“to ful year. great Society. live”) and Kunst (“art). If your life is filled with fine wines, exotic travels, delicious We welcomed a few new We had a great time and in speaking with food, strong friendships and many hobbies, vendors and I personally found the others, it was time well spent with family you have probably mastered the art of living; Happy German Chef to be a wel- and friends. The down-side is that it in other words, your life itself is beautiful – comed addition to our veteran ven- could have been and should have been like art. dors. As in the past, the Maryland better. The German community is still You don’t have to be wealthy to be German clubs were well represent- well represented in the area and more a Lebenskünstler (“artist of life”). You simp- ed. Patrons could feast on Schnitzel, should attend this event, as well as the ly need to understand how to make the jour- ney through life as joyful as possible. Every Wursts, Pig Wings and more. The individual club events. This is one of the individual has a different idea of how to cre- food was wonderful. All the clubs major events of the year for the com- ate an artful, magical life that gets you excit- put their bined clubs. If all the members of the ed to wake up every morning. Some people best foot clubs attended, we would have to close may be struck by the magic of a beautiful forward and the doors due to the ‘sold out’ crowd. If sunrise, and need nothing more to experience welcomed our members do not begin to participate, joy. For others, drinking a $300 bottle of guests with we will lose. We will lose our ability to wine would be an example of Lebenskunst. great food get together as a major ethnic group, thus A tip to accomplish Lebenskunst: if and drink, further eroding our base. I urge every- you see the beauty in every detail of life and all while one to support their clubs…this goes use this beauty to create your own happiness, you’ll be on your way to becoming a Lebens- promoting beyond just paying the dues each künstler. In very little time, examples of Le- the German year….it means having fun, getting in- benskunst will surround you. community volved, joining the community, showing in Mary- your pride, sharing your heritage and land. passing it on to the younger generation. The German Society manned their The next event…don’t be shy. If you booth with gusto, signing up over a aren’t called to help, call someone in dozen new members during the two your club and tell them, I am ready! day event. Many of our directors spent time with festival guests dis-

Vereinsnachrichten Issue 111 October 2018 Pa ge 3 Join us for German Day

McDaniel College will host Folk Dancing, the Holocaust, the 24th Annual German- German Resistance to Hitler, American Day to celebrate the Art of Cheese Making, German language and German Face Painting, Study culture on Tuesday, October Abroad in Germany, among 16, from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. others. The organizers hope to be able to host Eddi Hüneke, a McDaniel College will host wonderful German musician the 24th annual German- from Cologne, who was a American Day on October 16. member of the Wise Guys, a Please join us for the Society for the The theme this year is “German-American legendary and internationally acclaimed History of the Germans in Mary- Heritage.” In previous years, the German a-cappella band. land's annual dinner/lecture on Oc- Society of Maryland generously has sup- tober 16, 6 to 8:30 PM at the Hop- ported this event and many of its members For more information about last year’s kins Faculty Club on the Johns Hop- attended GAD or offered workshops. This GAD please see: kins Homewood campus. Our year, all German-American associations http://www2.mcdaniel.edu/german/gad/ speaker will be Jackson Gilman- and clubs are invited to attend the event. Forlini, "Baltimore's Historic Ger- GAD has been traditionally offered since For more information about this year’s man-American Music District, 1995 and each year some 1,000 middle GAD, please contact Dr. Mohamed Esa 1850-1914." For additional infor- and high school students participate in by e-mail at [email protected] or by mation and tickets ($50), contact workshops and hands-on activities on phone at (410)857-2462. Nick Fessenden, President, SGHM, German music, German fairytales, Histo- 443-542-2263 or nicholasfessend- ry of German Cinema, German Mary- [email protected]. landers, German ancestry, German- American Military Relations, German

A Thank You from the Meinzer Summer Study Recipient

I wanted to thank you and the entire the opportunity to go back there German Society of Maryland for in the future. I am forever grate- granting me this past trip to Germa- ful to you and the German Socie- ny. I had such a blast there. I made ty of Maryland for making it all many awesome friends and truly en- possible! joyed life during those three weeks. I Moisés Alvarez am so happy to keep such great memories of so many wonderful ex- periences. The cities of Leipzig, Ber- lin, Weimar, and Dresden were all so beautiful and rich in history. It was honestly a beautiful experience and blessing in my life. I do hope I have

Help the German Society be more efficient and save paper. If you have an email address and would like to receive your ‘Vereinsnachrichten’ via email, send an email to Bärbel Otto at [email protected].

This action alone saves paper and postage costs. You may then print the Vereinsnachrichten in full color.

Pa ge 4 Vereinsnachrichten Issue 111 October 2018

Advertising Available

The 235th Annual Awards Banquet will be held on November 3, 2018 at Zion Church of the City of Baltimore. We are pleased to present the honor to Thomas Werner.

Sizes Available: *Full Page Ad (8.5 x 11) $150 *Half Page Ad (8.5 x 5.5) $80 *Quarter Page (4.25 x 5.5) $50 *Patron Ad (one line) $25

You may place a memorial for a loved one or send congratulatory remarks for an anniversary or a special birthday, or congratulate the honoree, Tom Werner. The program will be posted on the German Society web- site following the event so that everyone may see your ad.

We hope that you and members of your company, organization or family will also join us for the dinner.

Again, thank you for your continued support of this important event. We look forward to receiving your im- age-ready ad (by mail* or e-mail to: [email protected])

*Entire agreement and additional information and mailing instructions at https://www.ermansociety- md.com/gsadletter18.pdf

Vereinsnachrichten Issue 111 October 2018 Pa ge 5

Vielen Dank für den Freundschaftsgarten!

By Gary Carl Grassl While Hamburg did not sur- vive, we have to admire Funk’s real The German-American Friend- estate acumen. Inside old Hamburg ship Garden was dedicated on November are today the World Bank and Interna- 15, 1988 by President Ronald Reagan and tional Monetary Fund, the Department Chancellor Helmut Kohl as a symbol of of the Interior, George Washington the friendship between our two nations. University, the Federal Reserve Board In 1999, President Clinton award- and the National Academy of Science ed Chancellor Kohl the Presidential Medal and Engineering with the statue of of Freedom. After the ceremony in the Einstein. Here also are the DAR Con- East Room everyone headed toward the stitution Hall, the national headquar- President to shake his hand. Kohl stood ters of the Red Cross, the Organiza- almost alone at the window that looks tion of American States, the Renwick down on our Friendship Garden. I thought and the Corcoran Galleries of Art, and that I should speak to him, but I was so last but not least the Department of overwhelmed by the great man that I al- State. most forgot both my German and my Eng- To connect the eastern sea- lish. I stammered a few words, and he board with the heartland of American, looked puzzled. Then I managed to the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal was squeeze out, “Vielen Dank für den Vice President, James Schaub and the GSM ban- dug. Its 185 miles were excavated Freundschaftsgarten.” His face lit up, and ner-2017 German American Day mostly by German and Irish immi- he shook my hands. It was a great moment grants using picks and shovels. Tiber for me. church. Germans from Georgetown pur- creek served as part of the canal. A Our Friendship Garden is located chased these lots. lock lifted a boat up or down by open- in about the best spot in Washington imag- ing or closing the water gates in front inable, on the National Mall at the foot of The decision by George Washing- and back. From here the C&O canal the Washington Monument and within ton in 1790 to put part of the nation’s capi- ran up to the Potomac, but it turned sight of the White House. The National tal on top of Hamburg was the undoing of right just before the river. The canal Mall is located between Constitution Ave- Funk’s town. Both Thomas Jefferson and ran past the future site of the Heurich nue on the North and Independence Ave- George Washington drew up plans for the Brewery, known as Heurich’s Castle, nue on the South. There was no Constitu- location of the government buildings. Jef- where the Kennedy Center is today. tion Avenue here during Colonial days, ferson drew an outline of Hamburg, and he There was another lock and another there being no Constitution. Instead a put the capitol, the President’s house and all pair of water gates; they are commem- stream ran along here from Capitol Hill to the government buildings inside Hamburg. orated today by the Watergate Apart- the Potomac. It started near the farm of Washington had a bigger government in ments. Mr. Pope, who called his farm appropriate- mind; he ordered the President’s house to Hopefully, you will be join- ly, ROME and the stream he called the be built on the high ground east of Ham- TIBER. Later Jacob Funk came along and burg, and that’s where it is today, about two ing the German Society of Maryland in 1768 laid out a town along the Tiber. blocks from old Hamburg. Interestingly, on their trip to the German-American He modestly called it Hamburg. Its harbor both Jefferson and Washington took their friendship garden. The event will was about where the Vietnam Memorial is reference from Hamburg. take place on October 6th and a bus today. The white building visible from the Funk’s town was called Hamburg has been made available for the trip to Friendship Garden on the west is the Pan by the local people to the end of the 19th DC. American Union; this was near the SE cor- century, but today the area is called Foggy ner of Hamburg. From there the border Bottom. The only reminder of Hamburg is rd ran up to H Street and over to 23 Street. a church called Deutsche Lutherische Evan- Funk laid out the lots and the streets, and gelische Concordia Kirche at 20th and G he gave them names. He set aside a lot for Streets, NW. Church services are still held the German Presbyterian church and burial here in German. A plaque on the church ground and one for a German Lutheran tower announces that John Phillip Sousa

was baptized here; his mother was from Germany. The Washington Sängerbund has been conducting annual Weihnachtskon- zerte here since 1967.

Pa ge 6 Vereinsnachrichten Issue 111 October 2018

Meet Lifetime Director– Dr. Armin Einhard Mruck

Each issue, I Denmark. Thankfully, Dieter was saved the time. The lists were similar to those attempt to by a fisherman. He was sent to Garmisch we saw following 9-11. He found his ‘spotlight’ one -Partenkirchen to recuperate and it was parents in Hessen, which was under of GSM’s here Armin saw his brother for the last American occupation. He was in talented and time. After his recovery, Dieter was sent Lübeck, which was under British occu- dedicated to northern Norway. In 1943 Dieter died pation. Armin had to be creative to make Directors. This when his plane crashed into the sea. His his way to Hessen. He accomplished this issue, being no body was never recovered. There is a using a coal car, two good feet and hitch different, I monument in Kiel to Dieter and those that hiking. He found his father chopping asked Armin served in WWI and WWII. wood. Unaware that Armin was still Mruck if I Armin was drafted into the Air alive, the family was ecstatic to see him. could write his story. Little did I know Force in 1943. He was initially drafted His parents were in good health and were that this spotlight would be a little more into the labor service, where he served 3 living on the estate of a well-to-do indus- than the norm. Dr. Mruck was gracious months working on a Polish farm. He trialist that employed over 1000 persons and said yes and I began taking notes. spent the next months, in Armin’s words, in Cassel (a major city in Hessen). It Taking notes, watching interviews and doing and learning nothing. It wasn’t was at this time, his cousin Ilsa, who had doing basic research led to a six page until sent to France where he finally re- owned a large farm (over 4000 acres) in article, two much for our ‘director’ col- ceived basic training. Armin was trans- East Prussia, escaped the Russians with umn. I am going to attempt to give you ferred to the Artillery, received a brief her three children in tow. Ilsa’s husband an overview of the accomplished, im- training and was sent to the front line in remained behind to make certain the mensely talented, ever consummate and Russia. It was here on October 24, 1944 farm continued operations. Tragically, yet reserved Armin Mruck. that he came face to face with an Uzbeki- the Russians wanted the farm and exe- Armin Mruck was born June 6, stan soldier, who was slightly faster at the cuted Ilsa’s husband. She was an excep- 1925, son of Otto E. and Käthe Mruck trigger shooting Armin in the left rear end tional cook which landed her a job work- (nee Burdanski). He was born in a at very close range. He was sent to a Ger- ing as a cook for American officers. This small town, Osterode/East Prussia. man hospital. Armin was again shot helped her provide for her family. Ar- Osterode is now Ostroda/Mazuria while with an ’Alert Unit’ and during his min fondly remembered Ilsa calling her Poland. . Armin was raised in a solid trek to find family and friends, this time one of his ‘heroes’. middle class Prussian family, both his in the thigh. Learning English in Gymnasi- father and grandfather members of the Armin began his recuperation for um paid off as Armin began teaching teaching profession. Armin attended this injury, at a hospital in Copenhagen English in his home. He applied and was public schools, specifically the Kaiser for the first month and was then transport- accepted as a preferred student due to his Wilhelm Gymnasium (est.1907), gradu- ed to Lübeck for further treatment. His wounded veteran status, to Philips Uni- ating in 1943. wound became infected and due to the versity in Marburg (founded in 1527). Armin had a good childhood. lack of antibiotics, it was customary, and During his early days in univer- The family attempted to make a normal in an attempt to increase survival rates, to sity, Armin studied English, Geography, life for him and his brother Dieter. The amputate the diseased History and Philosophy. This peace within the family did not last. limb. It was here, in the changed in later years as he World War II took its toll on intensive care unit, that developed a passion for histo- the Mruck family. Armin’s older broth- Armin was cared for by a ry. It was with the assistance er, Dieter, an expert sailor, joined the very special nurse. This of Professor Wilhelm Treue German Navy. Armin’s father Otto, a nurse took such good care, that Armin changed his major veteran of World War I, was also draft- amputation was avoided. to History. His dissertation, in ed in August of 1939. Dieter served Years later he and that 1951, ‘The Significance of aboard a minesweeper/torpedo boat and special nurse, Hannelore Railroads in the history of war later was loaned from the Navy to the Grimm, collaborated and up to and including the Ameri- Air Force where he became a Recon- wrote, ‘Two German can Civil War’, was well re- naissance Pilot. His father remained on Lives’ (Deutsch Lebens- ceived. German custom also the Polish front for his entire service wege zwischen Diktatur required students to study at time. It was at this time Armin’s home und Demokratie (2007). more than one university. Armin chose life became more somber. Dieter was Armin began searching for his Göttingen, a University in Lower Saxo- shot down over Jutland, a peninsula in parents using the ‘search’ lists available at ny, founded by King George II of Brit-

Vereinsnachrichten Issue 111 October 2018 Pa ge 7 ain, in 1734. track and on a salary of ments and memberships include Re- The U.S. Con- $14,500. He began the Fall cipient German-American Friendship gress passed a law to fund semester of 1955 and stayed award German Embassy, 1990; Distin- young Germans, not in the until 1967 when he moved to guished Service Cross President, 1997; Nazi party, to study in the Towson State College. Here The German Society of Maryland’s U.S. Armin was inter- he was offered full Professor Service Award in 1995; American viewed in Bremen and to with full tenure from the start. Historical Association, Society for the his astonishment was se- He remained at Towson until History of Germans in Maryland , Phil lected. They had no his retirement in 1994. He Alpha Theta - Honorary Member. Re- choice of school assign- was named Professor Emeri- cipient of the Germany Bundesver- ments, but Armin was tus, since 1993. dienstkreuz (1999); Honorary Citizen content with his Lexington It was at Towson of Oldenburg/Germany; Distinguished Kentucky pick. It was that Armin began the Student Professor emeritus, Towson University here Armin met Professor Exchange programs to Olden- (2013); and recipient of the Carl von A.D. Kirwin, President burg. Initially it was a faculty Ossietzky Medal of the Carl von Ossi- and football coach at Ken- exchange beginning in the etzky Universitaet Olden- tucky University. Profes- late 80s. The student ex- burg/Germany. Armin Mruck served nd sor Kirwin was an authority on Southern changes began in 1990. The program is as the 2 Vice President of the Ger- History and became a good friend. with the University of Oldenburg, which in man Society. Armin’s life changed again the 70s became the University of Carl von when he met Marlene, his future wife, Ossietzky. Armin visited the school in *This article was based on a series of during a trip to Miami in January 1952. 1987 and actually taught at the school from interviews of Professor Mruck by Pro- fessor Nicole Dombrowski. The inter- She, a junior at Queens College in New 1992-1993. It was here he presented his views are on YouTube. The links are York, was visiting Coral Cables for a audio lecture, ‘Foreign Relations of the below. short vacation. Marlene, a resident of German Resistance with the United States’. Long Island, had German parents. Their German anti-Hitler Resistance, German- For more: relationship grew. Armin was scheduled East European/Polish relations became his The entire six page article is posted at to leave the U.S. and return to Germany specialization. www.GermanMarylanders.org. Go to that September. They began working on The Mrucks became a household Profiles and to Education plans to return to Germany and introduce name when a local television station inter- Interviews on YouTube: Marlene to his family. It was not com- viewed them and they were able to describe Interview #1: monplace for young, unmarried couples their experience at one of the greatest mo- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8X to travel on the same ship. Armin and ments in history, the ‘Fall of the Wall’. mmqx9vp2E&t=0s&list=PLPbTrIiypN Marlene found the simple answer….get The Mrucks were there and are proud of the 1ESYB9pgV1dHqmw7Sr1MsXp&index married. The couple was married at a photo of Marlene holding her hammer. =2 Lutheran church on Long Island in Au- Armin continues to have strong Interview #2: gust 1952. Together, they returned to emotional ties to Germany and feels many https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pe Germany on the ship, United States, trav- things are still better in Germany (i.e. free GKkTtSHe4&t=0s&list=PLPbTrIiypN eling first to LeHarve, then Paris, then education, less crime, etc.). He also feels 1ESYB9pgV1dHqmw7Sr1MsXp&index Solingen. Here, in Solingen, Marlene that the German schools do a better job of =3 Interview #3: met her Stocker family, including her teaching WWII and the Holocaust, which is https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1 grandfather for the first time. From there, often glazed over by the U.S. schools. Yk1FUkWLo&t=0s&list=PLPbTrIiyp they traveled to Hannoversch Münden ‘Germany is becoming more and more aware that they are German and their histo- N1ESYB9pgV1dHqmw7Sr1MsXp&ind where Marlene met the Mrucks. ex=4 Armin began his teaching career ry contains 11 negative years and more at NYU. Here in February 1953, just than 1000 positive years and they, as a peo- days after his return, he worked 15 hours ple, have contributed immensely to our per week teaching German Language and civilization. Literature on a meager $3000 per year He and Marlene have three chil- salary. He remained at NYU for a few dren, Dieter (1953); Loren (1956; and Hei- years. In 1955 he was approached by di (1957). They moved to Reisterstown Morgan College in Baltimore. They and have stayed there. made an offer much more impressive Armin E. Mruck has received than that of NYU. Armin became Asst. many honors and has contributed so much Professor of European history, a tenured to our community. His awards, achieve-

Vereinsnachrichten Issue 111 October 2018 Pa ge 8

Join the German Society of Maryland APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP Name: ______Street Address:______City:______State:______Zip:______Spouse (Optional):______Phone:______Email:______Referred by:______“I hereby apply to be a member of the German Society of Maryland” Annual dues $25.00. Spouse included at no extra cost.. I wish my newsletter to be sent via email at the above email address: I wish my newsletter to be sent through US postage at the above postal address: Lifetime Membership: $250.00 Mail to: The German Society of Maryland P.O. Box 22585 Baltimore, Maryland 21203-4585

Welcome New Members * Inidcates NEW Lifetime Member

Jeffrey and Maggie Arrington Michael Kohlman

David Auber Alan Leatherman

Thomas Burger* John Liao

Richard and Dorothy Bush Ingrid Loukota

Diana Kahler and Brian Golin Sarah Meyers

Dustin and Olivia Guthmann Carsten and Molly Bradford-Miller*

Thomas Guthmann Marc Nicklaus

Christine Hanson William and Nancy Parks

Henry Hergenroeder Milton Rebbert

Rita Hubbard Rosemary Thompson

Jeffrey Knorr

Pa ge 9 Vereinsnachrichten Issue 111 October 2018

Gradl, Erich immigrated from Germany to the In Sympathy US in 1956. She was predeceased Mr. Gradl was born in Helmbrechts, Ger- by husbands Emil Wellert and Ger- Brooke, Dandridge many to the late Georg and Anna. Erich hard Wilke, granddaughter Lauren grew up in Nürnberg, Germany and at the Edgerton and her eight siblings. The German Society is age of 16 was taken by She is survived by her saddened by the recent German soldiers and daughters Ingrid W. Edgerton and loss of long-time mem- trained in combat. He Heidi Garman and her husband ber, lifetime director and served during the chaot- friend, Dandridge ‘Dan’ Robert, grandchildren Jeffrey and ic ending of WWII. Brooke. Christopher Edgeron and Daniel and Dan passed When the war ended, as Kathleen Garmen. She was also away on September he attempted to get survived by many great- 17th. He was our home, he was held at grandchildren and many extended ‘Spotlight’ Director in gunpoint by the SS and family members in both the US and the October 2017 issue. then captured by the Canada. Her family are long-time Dandridge Brooke was a Americans. He and others like him were members of Zion Church. Marylander born in placed in one of ‘Eisenhauer’s Disarmed Ms. Wilke was buried on Dresden. Enemy Forces (DEF) camp. After the war June 2nd at Crest Lawn Memorial He was dedicated to service to he finished his education at the Hans the community and the country. He grew Park. Sachs Gymnasium, was a champion hand- up and has resided his whole life in Balti- Jeschke, Charlotte more and Rehobeth, DE. He attended ball player, loved nature and playing the West Nottingham Academy and served in violin. Charlotte (nee Schwarz) died on the Navy during WWII. He emigrated to the U.S. and was July 16, 2018. She was born in Bal- His professional life was in the drafted into the US Army in 1953. He timore on July 2, 1921 to Charles property and casualty insurance business won the Good Conduct and the National and Gretchen serving as a director of American Con- Defense Service Medals. At one point he Schwarz. She at- sumers Finance Company of MD, Gov- tended Western ernment Employees' Life Insurance Com- was sent to Austria, probably due to his High School, gradu- pany of Washington, DC and Conrad Se- language skills. He was honorably dis- curity Company of College Park. charged as a sergeant in 1961. Mr. ated from Towson He served many years with the Gradl’s daughter said that her father was State Teacher’s Col- Boy Scouts of Maryland and also was a very proud of his American military ser- lege and became an member of and Past President of The vice. She said he and others like him saw elementary school Paint and Powder Club. He was a mem- a government gone horribly wrong in Ger- teacher. ber of Ancient and Honorable Mechanical many, and were proud to embrace and Charlotte Society, the Society of the Cincinnati, and defend American ideals. married Curt Jeschke in May of the St. George’s Society of Baltimore. He He worked at Martin Marietta 1943 and were married 62 years was a member of the American Legion. when Curt passed away in 2005. Dan was a member of our Socie- and later Westinghouse as a Defense Ma- Together they raised six sons. ty for over 68 years and has been a direc- chinist. He was involved in the develop- tor for 51 years. For many years he ment of the AWACS radar system. Charlotte was an active member of served as our membership chairman and He was a member of the Masons, Zion, where she taught Sunday has recruited many members. Warren Lodge #51 and the German Soci- School and was instrumental in the Dan was honored with our ety of Maryland. He spent his later years reorganization of Zion’s library. ‘Distinguished Service Award’ in 2004. at Carroll Lutheran Village. She was active in the Rolling Hills Dan was married to the late Isol- He is survived by his sister Lore Women’s Club and the Women’s de K. Brooke (nee Kluge). He is survived Wolfel of Nürnberg, daughter Terry Ann Auxiliary of the Engineering Socie- by daughter and GSM Director, I. Lynette Gradl-Barrett and her husband Warren ty of Baltimore. Brooke-Dean, D. William Brooke, Brian Arthur Barrett, II and his grandsons, War- Charlotte remained active W. Brooke and Randall W. Brooke. He is ren Arthur II and Alexander Hans-Erik. and in her later years moved to also survived by 5 grandchildren and 5 He is also survived by his longtime friend Charlestown in Catonsville. Here great-grandchildren. and companion Jeanne Cromwell Hoddi- she attended lectures, enjoyed her Dan was laid to rest at Dulaney nott and former wife Annemarie Schmidt. bridge games and continued learn- Valley Cemetery. Donations in his Mr. Gradl was buried at the Bal- ing throughout her life. memory may be made to the German So- timore National Cemetery. She is survived by sons ciety of Maryland Scholarship Fund, P.O. Wilke, Adeline Carl, Curt, Chris, Craig, Clark and Box 22585, Baltimore, MD. 21203-4585. Colin, as well as her 11 grandchil- On May 24, 2018, Adeline Wilke passed dren and 10 great-grandchildren. away. Adeline was born in Lithuania and

This month we are welcoming two new mem- sionally would find ourselves roaming around the Wildlife Refuge in "Schlosspark Tambach" where bers who replied to ‘Getting to Know You’. on occasion the wild boars would chase us. It Let’s welcome the new members. wasn't uncommon that all the kids in the Summer evenings would camp out under the evening sky in Jeff & Marisa Faust the farmer's field only to hear a shrieking sound during the night only to find us running home. Marisa is the daughter of a Sudeten Near the end of every Summer, my uncle Arno Deutsch mom (Gerlinde Pannoch Franke) and would "schlacht a Sau". It was generally Satur- an American army ser- days and would start very early as it was an all-day geant(Jose Garcia) sta- event. Because it was a small town and many of tioned in Schwabach, Ger- the modern amenities weren't yet available in the many. In her early child- early '70's, beer was stilled brewed in town, and hood she lived in Germany the harvest like apples and potatoes would be and in Puerto Rico. She stored in underground caves. Years later, the town works as a Physician Assis- built a community freezer house and each resident tant and lives in Maryland. had their own freezer. Marisa is married to Jeff We moved to the "big city"; Nürnberg Faust and has 3 children. when I was probably 7 or 8. I went to Elementary She travels often to Germa- School & High School in Fuerth. Nürnberg, if ny to see her family and is you've ever been, is simply a wonderful place interested to know more about her Sudeten rela- cloaked in it's medieval charm, surrounded by the tives especially the Salzborn's. city wall. It is best known obviously for the Jeff Faust is from Wisconsin and his Christkindlmarkt and Gluehwein but has so much dad's family comes from Bruhl, Germany. His more. I grew up and to this day avidly follow den mom(Meinholz) is also German, and they met 1. FC Nürnberg; aka "der Club". I often frequent- in Wisconsin and had 7 children. Jeff works as ed the games on Saturday afternoons in my full a compliance director for Synagro and also garb rooting on my favorite team watching greats travels to Germany when he can. We are plan- like Rudi Kargus and Dieter Lieberwirth. ning to go to the Oktoberfest in Munich next College life began in Munich quickly year to enjoy the music and celebration. becoming a favorite place of mine when I attended Marisa requested that we share her the University of Mayland on McGraw Kaserne. email. To contact Marisa email In 1993, I moved to Baltimore because a high [email protected] school friend encouraged me where I completed my Graduate studies at the University of Balti- Frank Meeks more. Shortly after arriving, I met my future wife Mary Beth. Of course it took some time before we Born near lastly married but all good things should take their Coburg, Ger- time. The wedding and reception were both at many in what Zion and were fortunate to have Pastor Gritsch as is commonly our pastor in 2000. referred to as Oberfranken We currently live in Historic Relay with in the small Samantha & Shelby. We can't imagine being any- village of where else right now. Like Neundorf it's home. Neundorf near Last year, I had the opportunity to take an the extended sabbatical from many years of corporate "Thüringer life to enjoy what life has given. When asked Wald". My what I do in my free time I say what free time? memories of Because the house is nearly 100 years old it re- growing up in Neundorf have always quires constant maintenance that keeps me busy been fond. After all, it couldn't have been and am quite comfortable in calling it my hobby more than 500 residents where everyone but I do enjoy a good read and it never fails I get a knew everyone's business. It was true book either on my birthday or father's day every farm life. Linens were hung up to dry in year from the girls that grabs my attention. the summer sun, Fruehschoppen and Oma's kloesse were tradition every Sun- day while the boys played league Fussball in the afternoon. We always played Fuss- ball after homework was done and occa-

Vereinsnachrichten Issue 111 October 2018 Pa ge 11

Maryland’s Debt to her German Citizens 100th Anniversary of Henry Gunther’s Few organizations are to be country to the new and unsettled uplands death. The last soldier found in this country with a record of of Maryland. Among these were Jona- more years of usefulness than the Ger- than Hager, the founder of Hagerstown, to die in WWI. man Society of Baltimore. This ven- and Thomas Schley, the schoolteacher erable society was organized 125 who build the first house in Frederick Henry Nicholas Gunther, the last soldier years ago, and the anniversary of its City. From him were descended we be- to be killed in WWI, was born on June formation will be celebrated by a ban- lieve, the great lawyer, William Schley, 5, 1895 to German immigrants, George quet on January 8. Since its organiza- Admiral W.S. Schley and the distin- Gunther and Lena Gunther (Roth). He tion in 1783, the German Society, guished men of that name in Savannah. which is a beneficial as well as a patri- Thousands of Germans landed at Annapo- grew up in East Baltimore and attended otic and social society, has aided a lis and made their way overland to Freder- the public schools there. He attended vast number of immigrants who in that ick County. Many landed at Baltimore, Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church. time have landed on the American some making this their home, and others Drafted, Henry served in 313th coasts. It has accumulated a consider- pushing westward to the mountains. Infantry Regiment, nicknamed able fund, the income from which is Among the latter was Dr. Christian Bo- "Baltimore's Own;" it was part of the devoted to the support of needy people erstler, who brought his family and was larger 157th Brigade of the 79th Infan- of German blood. In many other ways accompanied by a large party from the try Division. His unit was advancing does the German Society extend aid to Duchy of Deux Ponts, Bavaria, from toward Meuse when it was announced those who have come from the Father- which they had been driven by the oppres- that the Armistice would take effect at land or whose parents are from the sion of the local government. Dr. Bo- 11:00 a.m. on November 11. Despite old-country. erstler was a man of learning and ability, this, an attack was ordered, and as his Maryland owes a great debt possessing great influence among the unit was advancing they ran into a Ger- to her citizens of German blood. In Maryland people of German blood. This man division near the village of Chau- the days of the petty German states influence was exerted to secure the adop- mont-devant-Damvillers. He charged there was from time to time political tion of the Constitution of the United with his bayonet and was shot within a oppression which forced many citi- States by Maryland, and it may be that few yards of the German position. Gen- zens of prominence in learning and without that influence Maryland would eral Pershing officially recognized him social position from their old homes. not have accepted the constitution. He as the last American death in his Order wrote many articles in the German news- Many of these settled in Baltimore and of the Day for November 11 announc- papers which circulated in Maryland, over became leading merchants, who con- ing the Armistice. Gunther was posthu- the signature “Volksfreund,” and offered tributed largely to the upbuilding of mously awarded the Distinguished Ser- such arguments as won his people to the this city and the extension of her com- vice Cross and his body was returned merce. They also formed an intelli- cause he was supporting. Until the Ger- man tide set into Maryland the settlement home to Baltimore in 1923. His story is gent and refined society which freely told in Joseph E. Persico's "Eleventh associated with an intermarried in the of the Province was very slow. A century after the first settlement the population of Month, Eleventh Day, Eleventh Hour." best social circles of the city. In the (bio by: Paul F. Wilson) war of the Revolution the German Maryland was probably less than 100,000 Since 2010, the German Socie- people of Maryland were intensely souls. At the end of the first century, the ty has honored Sgt. Gunther with a patriotic. The western part of the German settlers began to arrive, and in the graveside memorial. This is the 100th State was largely peopled by Ger- next 40 years the population of the prov- mans. The first to settle in Frederick ince had doubled. Anniversary of Gunther’s death. Look for details, check your email. County, about 1732, came from Penn- Baltimore Sunpaper, December 27, 1908, sylvania. Then many whose destina- Page 4 (110 years ago) See also: tion was that county landed at Phila- www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-md-ci- delphia and made their way across the kelly-column-gunther-20170331- story.html FREE STUDENT MEMBERSHIPS We encourage all students from first grade through university level to become student members of our Society. Email their name, grade or level, and name of the school to the Society at [email protected] and stating that you wish to become a student member. This is FREE. NO ANNUAL DUES WITH VALID EMAIL ADDRESS!

OFFICERS LIFETIME DIRECTORS OFFICE MANAGER Anton Smoot-President Shelley ‘Dolch’ Arnold Bärbel Otto Dr. James D. Schaub-1st VP John K. Aymold, Jr.* Past newsletters are posted on our website, www.germansociety-md.com, Shelley Arnold-2nd VP Dandridge Brooke Linda Butt as is our history, Pioneers in Service’. Maureen Helinski-Secretary Dr. David Denisch For more German-American happenings check the website for the Theodore Potthast-Treasurer Prof. Dr. Mohamed Esa Deutschamerikanischer Bürgerverein von Maryland at DIRECTORS Brigitte V. Fessenden* www.md-germans.org or www.GermanMarylanders.org. Zachary Butt Dr. Maureen Helinski This newsletter is published by The German Society of Maryland, Kraig Dean Prof. Dr, Armin Mruck founded in 1783 and incorporated in 1818 by an Act of the General Lynette Dean Michael J. Nieberding* Assembly of Maryland. It is a non-profit, tax exempt corporation Steven Harper Betty Niemann pursuant to the provisions of §501c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Gerhard Meinzer Rev. H.J.Siegfried Otto * Please submit articles or items of interest to Anton Smoot Paul Gerhard Otto Shelley Arnold, Editor at [email protected] Robert Wisch Bernard Penner, Esq. Elizabeth K. Wittstadt Theo. J. Potthast, Jr.,Esq.* The German Society of Maryland Gen. M. Hall Worthington Shirley Santora EX OFFICIO Dr. James Schaub* Visit us on the web P.O. Box 22585 Dr. Mary Upman President- Women’s Auxiliary Baltimore, Maryland 21203-4585 www.germansociety-md.com Eva Maus Kelleher Christel van der Berg 410-685-0450 Dr. Maureen Helinski, Thomas A. Werner* Email: [email protected] Webmaster

Hon. Gerard W. Wittstadt * = past president