THE FLAG WAS BROUGHT IN

U.S. Army takes leave of Bad Kreuznach

Friday, May 25, 2001

With a moving ceremony on Friday, the American Forces took leave of the city of Bad Kreuznach. After having been stationed along the Nahe River for 50 years, the U.S. Army will dissolve the base within the next days. The units will be transferred to Wiesbaden. About 1000 spectators, as well as a large number of honorary guests assembled at the Moebus Stadium among them numerous U.S. citizens who previously had been stationed in Bad Kreuznach in order to observe the last American military parade in the city. High point of the ceremony was the presentation of the American flag to Mayor Ralf Ebbeke. Before that, the commander of the 1st U.S. Tank Division, Major General George W. Casey, thanked the citizens of the city in the name of his troops for "five decades of friendship". In a dual language speech he pointed out: "We came as strangers and are departing as friends." Mr. Ebbeke praised the departing Americans: "The U.S. flag, which waved over Bad Kreuznach for 50 years, turned out to be a symbol for freedom and security for the citizens of the Naherivertown." The speakers were in accord that the friendship between the Bad Kreuznach population and the U.S. soldiers would not end with their departure. Mr. Ebbeke: "The history of the base will end with this day, but the contacts will remain."  

--- Mainz Newspaper