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"Leaving the American zone"
Parade in front of the Reichstag building
Bird's-eye view of the destroyed Tiergraten after the war
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A one-week "welcome home" tour through reunited Berlin, designed for 12 U.S. military veterans who preserved West Berlin's freedom and security between 1946 and 1990. The WELCOME HOME TO BERLIN TOUR was initiated in 2008 as a tribute to U.S. military service in Berlin (West), commemorating the 60th anniversary of the Berlin Airlift. Working closely with our American partner, the Berlin U.S. Military Veterans' Association (BUSMVA), Checkpoint Charlie Foundation is endeavouring to honor and remember those, who risked their lives to protect Berlin's freedom in the days of the Cold War. At the same time, the program is to illustrate how much the city has developped since the fall of the wall, displaying economic growth, human creativity and metropolitan charme. The 7-day-trip includes visits to historic sites in and around Berlin, some of which played a significant role in the history of Allied Berlin, such as Checkpoint Charlie, the German-Russian Museum, Tempelhof Airport, and former U.S. barracks along Clayallee. Moreover, official visits to, for instance, the Embassy of the United States, the Berlin Parliament, and the Bundeswehr's Julius-Leber-Barracks have been essential parts of the tours, allowing our American guests to meet with present-day decision-makers, such as the U.S. ambassador, the President of the Berlin Parliament, or various Bundeswehr Officers. Participants are also requested to visit Berlin High Schools (arranged by CCF) to talk about their Cold War experiences with Berlin students. Click here to view the 2011 group during their Berlin visit, filmed by a Berlin film team. All applications must be sent to the BUSMVA board, which conducts the screening and evaluation process -- applying early is to your advantage, as participation is limited to 12 individuals. For further information contact: Ted A. Cimral, |
Welcome Home Tour
