From left: Lauren Williams, Colleen Way, Abby Eschmann, Meghan Alford and Sarah Schlichte Following a tradition established several years ago, sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade German students from the Garden City Middle School marched in the Annual German-American Steuben parade held this year on Saturday, September 17. They carried the school banner up New York City’s Fifth Avenue, waving flags to cheering bystanders who were there to celebrate the birthday of the parade’s namesake, General Friedrich von Steuben. It was von Steuben who worked with General George Washington’s troops when their morale was at its lowest point, and who is credited with helping them win the American Revolution.

Helen Minett and Robert E. Johnson with members of Die Neue Generation Garden City students took advantage of the cultural event and practiced their language skills with several groups of native Germans who traveled to New York for the weekend-long celebration. They met members of a brass band from Bavaria, Germany’s largest state, and learned from representatives of their club why Schornsteinfeger (chimney sweeps) are symbols of good luck. They spoke with natives of Hamburg, Germany’s largest port city, who were in full festival dress, with Miss German-American of New England, and with young members of Die Neue Generation from Franklin Square.

Parade’s end at the Guggenheim. From left:Peter Alford, Ray Wrobleski, Ryan Minett and Kevin Schulman The highlight of the day was a brief meeting with two of the dignitaries who were among the honored guests leading the parade: Dr. Wolfgang Ischinger, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany and Thomas R. Suozzi, Nassau County Executive. The gentlemen then joined the Garden City students to capture the moment in photographs.

Dr. Judith Hecker and her students would like to thank parent chaperones Mrs. Johnson, Mrs. Minett, Mrs. Szuba, Mrs. Williams and Mrs. Wrobleski.

Dignitaries Louis J. Freeh, parade grand marshal; Dr. Wolfgang Ischinger, Ambassador; Thomas Suozzi, county executive; and William Hetzler, parade chairman

Are they really good luck symbols?Garden City marchers with a Bavarian brass bandGarden City students with Dr. Wolfgang Ischinger, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany, and Thomas Suozzi, Nassau County ExecutiveStudents with Helmut Musculus, owner of Forest Pork Stores