German sailors render extraordinary honors to US at sea

German Embassy, Washington, D.C. ^ | Sept. 15, 2003

[Gorilla44]

Military vessels routinely render honors to military ships of other countries when they pass at sea by dipping their flag, as a sign of respect. The German frigate FGS Niedersachsen went above and beyond this normal gesture of respect when it asked to come alongside the USS Doyle on September 11, 2003, the second anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the US. On this day, as the two ships approached and passed, the entire crew of the German vessel stood top-side in full dress uniforms, holding their hats over their hearts. And as the ultimate gesture of respect, the FGS Niedersachsen was flying the United States flag from its main mast. A US Naval Officer, in an email that also reached the German Embassy in Washington, told of how touched the US crew were by the “classy and emotional” presentation by their German counterparts.

In an interview on National Public Radio’s All Things Considered on September 14, Commander Bernd Kuhbier of the FGS Niedersachsen explained this extraordinary act. “When you are on a warship, you don't fly a foreign flag on the top mast,” Commander Kuhbier told host Steve Inskeep. “But we thought the occasion was suitable to do that, so that's what we did. We were proud to do so.”

The unexpected gesture touched the US sailors, Vice Admiral Timothy LaFleur described in an unclassified email: “From their main mast they flew our flag and they held their covers over their hearts. Needless to say, the whole crew was choked up and a few tears formed in our eyes. Both ships stayed next to each other in silence for about 5 minutes. These are the days that remind me why I joined the Navy.”

The FGS Niedersachsen and the USS Doyle are both part of NATO’s Standing Naval Force Atlantic (STANAVFORLANT), a permanent peacetime multinational naval squadron composed of destroyers, cruisers and frigates from the navies of various NATO nations.

[Delta 21]

Tied up with a Panzer company in 1984 in Graf. They were in Leopard IIs and we were in the first M-1s in Europe. The ballistics computer and fire control of the M-1 was supirior to the German tank. There was a good bit of respect going both ways and we out shot them on the live fire range.(Single Tank Table 8 and Platoon Live Fire Table 99) Lots of trading patches, uniforms, tankers boots. The Rads were/are decent people.

The French suck.


.....frau ! Veisen bier, bitte

[Mon]

They did something like that right after 9/11/01. German police, military and even civilians who I personally know are not morons like Schroeder. When they showed the demonstrations against the Iraq war in Berlin, one Million people attended. Germany has 82 Million people. Not everybody there is stupid. Thanks, to read stuff like that makes me as a native German feel better. There is hope!

[lainde]

WHY did we not see or hear about this!!!! (I KNOW the answer but I'm still upset).

[Ready4Freddy]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/988161/posts?page=13#13

[Mon]

Oh this is great, thank you so very much :)

[Held_to_Ransom]

On this day, as the two ships approached and passed, the entire crew of the German vessel stood top-side in full dress uniforms, holding their hats over their hearts. And as the ultimate gesture of respect, the FGS Niedersachsen was flying the United States flag from its main mast. A US Naval Officer, in an email that also reached the German Embassy in Washington, told of how touched the US crew were by the “classy and emotional” presentation by their German counterparts

It's a great gesture, but what makes you think they just aren't happy to be on the winning side for a change?

[lorrainer]

I am speechless. Good post.

[DAPFE8900]

Either was alot of the Navy. They kept the normal military salute other then take the Nazi wave.. Also alot of the aces the germans had in WW2 were not nazis. One that comes to mind was Adolph Galland!

[nutmeg]

ping!

Please FReepmail me if you want on or off my infrequent ‘miscellaneous’ ping list.

[DAPFE8900]

Well the waffen SS was more of a Special Forces Units..Most Atrocities were commited by the SS special squads on the russian front.

[Sacajaweau]

Thanks for the post!

[Malesherbes]

An interesting political event in Germany this week. Schroeder's SPD (socialist) party got only 19 percent in the elections in Bavaria. Though Bavaria is conservative country, 19 percent was considered a devastating loss. It sent ripples of "Angst" throughout Schroeder's regime.

[Ready4Freddy]

You're quite welcome, Mon. :)

[Fred Mertz]

This is old news, I believe.

[TopQuark]

the HMS Lutgen Do you mean to say that it is British?

[Mon]

The German Navy Sailors after 9/11/01 were on the "Lutgen" I believe, these once are from this year, on the "Niedersachen." Different ships, different years :)

[danmar]

Thanks German Navy. At least you didn't give us the finger like the French...

Also keep in mind, that the Wehrmacht in WW2 never/grudgingly agreed with the NSDAP politics.
Therefore Hitler's need of the SS to control the Army/Navy to keep them at bay.So sez the History!.

[Delta 21]

Nope. My mistake.

[Fred Mertz]

I meant to say that this was posted on FR on 9/12/03. Billie posted it.

[Mon]

Oh! Sorry!!!! I at first thought it's the old pic I received two years ago :)