Articles and Reviews
"Centennial Celebration of Steuben Monument," Steuben News
(November/December 2010)
Centennial Celebration of Steuben Monument in Lafayette Park, Washington, DC,
December 4, 2010 a Success
The Steuben Centennial consisted of two parts: First, the wreath-laying ceremony at the monument, and, second, a lecture program at the Hamilton Crowne Plaza Hotel. The wreath-laying ceremony began with the German and American national anthems sung by the Washington Saengerbund, followed by the invocation, presented by Pastor Martin Mencke, German Lutheran Church of Washington, D.C. Ilsa Hoffmann, National Secretary of the Steuben Society served as Mistress of Ceremonies for the program planned by the National Chairman Randall J. Ratje.
In honor of the centennial of the Steuben Monument, a beautiful wreath was laid at the monument by Dr. Klaus Scharioth, German Ambassador to the U.S. and Major General William H. McCoy, Deputy Inspector General of the U.S. Army. Major General McCoy spoke on the importance of Steuben for the history of the U.S. Army and Dr. Scharioth stressed the significance of Steuben for German-American relations.
He also noted that "Through their events and activities, German-American associations like the Steuben Society of America contribute significantly to keeping German-American friendship vibrant and alive and I thank you for your commitment."
For the lecture program, historian Dr. Don Heinrich Tolzmann spoke on "Baron von Steuben: From Prussian Soldier of Fortune to Inspector General" and Dr. Hans Pohlsander discussed "Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben and His Monuments."
The Steuben Society of America was founded in 1919 to education the public about the positive role played by Germans in America and to preserve the German cultural heritage. It publishes a journal, Steuben News, and plans on holding its National Convention in August 2011 in St. Louis, Missouri.
For more information about the Steuben Society, visit: www.steubensociety.org.