Spielmannszug der Freiwilligen Feuerwehr Walldorf

Fire-brigade from Long Island /the USA to be staying in Walldorf

Sience 1993 the Astorstadt Walldorf is closley connected with its twin city Astoria in the Federal State Oregon at the Pacific coast. Another "partnership" is older, those the voluntary fire-brigade Walldorf with their colleagues of Freeport, Long Island, New York at the Atlantic coast.

On the occasion of the kermis 1998 were represented the Americans equal with a dozen members in Walldorf.

In his greeting words in the city hall mayor Heinz Merklinger that in the advice hall already numerous visitors from the close and welcomed far foreign country, but still no fire-brigade member from The USA, those with their decorations uniforms with the kermis opening and serval other opportunities enrich the townscape.

Merklinger went also on the historical background to this partnership. Driving strength was been Allan Grosser, the former fire-brigade Captain from Freeport. As it end of the 60's with the US Army was stationed in Heidelberg, he had by her a Address of a former neighbour of the parents, those emigrated to America from Walldorf, in the bag: Hermann Kempf. For large one did not remain it with an attendance in Walldorf. The Kempf-house became its second homeland. By its new friends the member of the fire-brigade of Freeport came also to the Walldorf voluntary fire brigade, into their center it its 50. birthday and even its wedding celebrated.

Already in the 80's then the former german Commander Kempf took and its Delegation at a celebration in Freeport participant. The return visit became on the occasion of 125. anniversary of the Walldorf fire brigade invitation. When local Commanders were inserted in freeport and the neighboring places 1997 and 1998, participated the Walldorf again.

As in Germany, to stop also on Long Island the field of application of the fire brigade not at the local border. Contacts became fast the fire brigades in approach Merrick and Baldwin attachet, also their uniforms could one into that see to last years in the Walldorf kermis parade.

And even with Baldwin closed the circle for the major, he had relations there and used there over many years of close contacts also Hermann Kempf and other Walldorf people in America maintained.

Wich the goests during their 10 days of stay in the Astorstadt not personelly, knew they visited afterwards in the "Walldorf Movie", even in English. Finally one had the halfhour Presentation of the "city between the forests" with an English version providet.

Walldorf most famous son Johann Jakob Astor went, is mentioned. Particulary the older ones among the visitors could itself still to those Countryseats of the Astors in the close Newport remind.

To the guests from America and its German hosts that congratulated Major, "...that it an intensive friendship structured and over years maintained" and "hopefully still many attendance in Walldorf and Long Island will follow".