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***image1***Kaiserslautern Lord Mayor Bernhard Deubig was presented the U.S. Air Forces in Europe Medal of Distinction Saturday at a ceremony on Ramstein honoring his contributions to the German-American partnership during his tenure as Lord Mayor.
Brig. Gen. Scott G. West, commander of the 21st Theater Sustainment Command, recently presented Lord Mayor Deubig with the Department of the Army’s Commander’s Award for Public Service.
The Lord Mayor guided the Kaiserslautern Community to a pinnacle of German-American friendship, said Gen. Tom Hobbins, USAFE commander.
“Lord Mayor Deubig has executed his vision to make U.S. Service men and women feel at home in this community and has created a spirit of partnership between us that is unequaled,” said General Hobbins.
Lord Mayor Deubig’s most noteworthy effort led to the establishment of the German-American Community Office, said General Hobbins. The office offers a variety of services, including linguistic support to Americans.
“It is a truly unique office that is staffed by both American and German community members,” said General Hobbins. “It welcomes us to the city with an extended hand of friendship and support, and just as important, it provides information about U.S. forces to local citizens.”
Lord Mayor Deubig’s vision, combined with USAFE support, led to the delivery of excess medical equipment to Pleven, Bulgaria, a “sister city” of Kaiserslautern, said General Hobbins.
Lord Mayor Deubig said that German and American cooperation during his tenure symbolizes friendship and success.
“Americans can rest assured that they are not only our guests, but also our friends,” said Lord Mayor Deubig.
The USAFE Medal of Distinction, first awarded in 1993, is the highest award that USAFE can grant to a non-U.S. citizen, and is presented for service and achievement in support of the USAFE mission. In 14 years, only 48 others have been awarded this medal.
USAFE was pleased to award this honor to a great neighbor, said Gen. Hobbins.
“I can’t think of anyone more deserving,” said General Hobbins.
(Courtesy USAFE Public Affairs. Angelika Lantz, 21st Theater Sustainment Command Public Affairs, contributed to this report.)
