WIESBADEN, Germany - Two Wiesbaden military community youths enjoyed a special edition of this year's German-American Friendship Day. During a ceremony in Frankfurt's Römer (City Hall) Oct. 1, Virginia Keel and Max Petronyak were honored by Lord Mayor Peter Feldmann and U.S. Consul General Kevin Milas for their photographic contributions to the UnderstandinG Project.
"German and American cooperation is more important than ever," said Milas about the annual project sponsored by the city of Frankfurt and American Consulate during remarks in the historic building's Kaiser Saal. Explaining that the UnderstandinG Project brings German and American youths together for a yearlong project aimed at "building bridges," this year the focus was on capturing images to tell a story about cultural understanding.
"It's important that the younger generation … born after the Cold War … understands how vital our transatlantic partnership is," Milas said, "… and the UnderstandinG Project is a good example of that."
The consul general said he has been impressed every time by the efforts of those who take part in the annual project, adding that it lays the foundation for new relationships and friendships.
Petronyak, a senior at Wiesbaden High School, said he heard about the project from others who had taken part in past years.
"I just wanted to get involved in something in the community," said Petronyak, who was honored with first place for his dramatic photo of a Holocaust memorial and won a flight over Frankfurt.
"I had the best German experience ever," he said, explaining that participants really enjoyed the chance to share experiences and each other's company while improving their photographic and language skills. "I'm taking away new friends. … UnderstandinG is a fun and interactive way to connect with the German community. The experience you get out of this is incomprehensible."
Keel, also a senior, won third place for her entry and two tickets to ride the Ebbelwoi (apple wine) Express in Frankfurt.
"It was a new experience for me --being with another culture. … I was sad when the project was over," Keel said.
"It's a great experience while you're living in Germany," she said, encouraging other young people to get involved in future UnderstandinG projects.
Frankfurt's lord mayor recalled his first encounters with Americans in Frankfurt -- enjoying ice cream from the Post Exchange -- and credited the United States with helping teach Germans about democracy in the wake of World War II. "Democracy had to be learned again … and the Americans taught us."
Feldmann also recognized the close ties between Frankfurters and Americans, remembering the crucial role played by Allied pilots and crews during the Berlin Airlift in 1948-49.
"Frankfurt and the Americans have grown closely together," he said.
During the yearlong project, participants, coached by a professional photographer, captured various perspectives focusing on German-American friendship or the United States with the theme "Your Region -- Your Perspective."
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