2d Stryker Cavalry Regiment, Public Affairs Office
Vilseck, Germany – Troopers from 2nd Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment had the opportunity to attend a historic event in the town of Mödlareuth on Nov. 9.
The Cougars were distinguished guests at the Bavarian State Government official celebration remembering the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall and the Iron Curtain along the former border separating Western and Eastern Germany. Just like Berlin, the small town of Mödlareuth felt the harsh reality of separation during the Cold War as the Soviets erected a large wall which divided it right down the middle. Today a portion of the wall still stands outside the German-German Museum were the celebration was held.
During the Cold War era, 2ACR was responsible for surveillance of 731 kilometers along the Iron Curtain that included 375 kilometers separating West and East Germany. Mödlareuth was in 2SCR area of operation so it was fitting for 2nd Squadron to attend this event. American Soldiers patrolling the area nicknamed the town Little Berlin. Troopers said they felt honored to be part of such a significant moment.
“This is amazing to be part of such an occasion,” said Pvt. Dylan Baker of 2/2SCR. “I have never attended anything like this before.”
For Dylan, who just joined the Regiment three weeks ago, the ceremony was a great chance to learn more about the Regiment and it’s rich history in Europe.
One of the highlights of the evening was an address by Bavarian Governor Minister President Horst Seehofer. He began by thanking everyone involved in the peaceful end to the long separation.
“The people from former Eastern Germany (German Democratic Republic) owe our deepest appreciation for their courage, and desire for freedom and change,” he said. “We also need to thank the police, border police and the U.S. Forces for their special commitment by patrolling the borderline.”
The last highlight of the evening, a group of German students from Bavaria, Saxony and Thuringia who recently attended a seminar with American high school students from Vilseck, Bamberg and Hohenfels discussed their experiences. They talked with their American counterparts about the separation of Germany by the Iron Curtain. The German students said they were amazed at how knowledgeable the American students were on the Berlin Wall.
The culmination of the evening happened when Lt. Col. Jones presented a plaque to the German-German Museum Association of Mödlareuth Chairperson County Commissioner Bernd Hering. This plague is now permanently part of history. It will hang in the museum to solidify 2SCRs connection to Mödlareuth.
