Reston Winter 2015 by Reston Association

n occasion, Reston residents who use the paths throughout our delightful treescape happen upon soldiers dressed in uniforms. The soldiers are unfailingly polite and friendly, and if one lives here long enough, one realizes that they are one of the best-kept secrets in the Washington D.C. area. We have German military personnel in our neighborhood. The German Armed Forces Command, United States and Canada, is located on Sunrise Valley Drive in Reston. It could be any other office building, but the colorful large piece of the Berlin Wall bears witness to the perseverance of the relationship between the United States and former West Germany. This friendship between the two countries, established after World War II and maintained throughout the Cold War, came to full fruition with the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 and the reunification of Germany. Our German friends were here on September 11, 2001, when the world itself watched tragedy unfold. They grieved with us, and have worked with us in the wake of that attack towards a safer world. Deep friendship requires time. In November, the Command will celebrate 50 years of presence in the United States. The anniversary will be observed with a ceremony between the military commands and State Department personnel closer in to D.C. Lucky for us, their headquarters is in Reston, where they’ve been able to live, work, play and get

involved since 1991. But why are they here? The Command oversees approximately 1,100 military personnel scattered throughout 22 of the United States and Canada, along with their families. German officers and non-commissioned officers volunteer for these assignments, usually three years in length. While here, they do not live in small compounds, away from the ‘real’ America. Their commander, Colonel Joachim W. Bohn, says, “They want to be part of whatever community they live in.” Colonel Bohn emphasizes that one very important reason for the presence of so many German military personnel in the United States is to ensure a high quality working relationship between the personnel of the two countries when they are deploying troops to trouble spots around the world. “Wherever we go we meet our American brothers in arms. Everyone knows everyone else’s procedures,” he states. The second important reason to have a headquarters here is to encourage and support bilateral exchange programs. This includes cadets and instructors at each of the United States military academies as well as more technical matters such as flight training and use of military equipment that the two countries both operate. The third reason for their presence is, of course logistics. Supporting 1,100 soldiers and their families, as well as embassy and consulate needs, requires someone to coordinate the efforts. The members of the local

THE MEMBERS OF THE LOCAL HEADQUARTERS EXPRESS THEIR APPRECIATION TO THE RESTON (AND LARGER DC) COMMUNITY WITH THE ANNUAL CHRISTKINDLMARKT, SCHEDULED FOR DECEMBER 3 THIS YEAR. headquarters express their appreciation to the Reston (and larger D.C.) community with the annual Christkindlmarkt, scheduled for December 3 this year. All of the craft items sold at the Christkindlmarkt are handmade by the German military spouses, and they’ve just about reached their capacity in preparing enough to satisfy the many people who travel from all over the D.C. region to celebrate this open house. All proceeds from the event are donated to local charities, primarily Cornerstones and ECHO, both addressing the needs of Northern Virginia’s most underserved communities. They emphasize that none of the funds raised go back to Germany or even larger national or international charities — the families and command consider this their opportunity to thank their hosts for our hospitality to them.

Another important event the German military personnel are involved in is the laying of the wreaths at Arlington National Cemetery during the holidays. As part of Wreaths Across America, wherever German military personnel are assigned across the U.S., they participate in similar acts of respect and reverence in our national cemeteries. Members of the command who live in and around Reston are particularly appreciative of the RA paths, the new Wiehle-Reston East metro station, and Reston’s proximity to the W&OD trail and mountain bike trails at Lake Fairfax. Many of them enjoy riding bicycles, a common form of transportation and recreation in Germany. The question has arisen — what can the local Reston community do to express our support and appreciation in return? Colonel Bohn says there are always some of the spouses who are not confident about their English, but who want to learn. Befriending them in your neighborhoods is the first step. Letting Reston Association know your ideas for more interaction is the second. As long as there is a need for military personnel from other countries to be stationed here in the United States, Reston Association and residents are fortunate indeed that we get the Germans. Kelley Westenhoff lives, bikes, plays, and gets involved in Reston. She is currently chair of the Pedestrian & Bicycling Advisory Committee.