The connection between Sister Cities Reading, Pennsylvania and Reutlingen, Germany began in 1998. Officials from each city have met and exchanged gifts with each other several times over the years.
Reutlingen firefighters with members of the A Platoon
Most recently, six firefighters from Reutlingen were in Reading for a visit from March 10-19, 2006. Bernd Mathias is a volunteer firefighter in Reutlingen. He studied for his degree in Philadelphia and has visited the department many times during the time he was in the United States. He has befriended many of the departments members and corresponds with us frequently. In 2002, he brought five other firefighters with him to visit.
On this visit he brought with him four different members. The exception being a very large and very lovable guy named '60', who is a firefighter at a Reutlingen area division of Bosch Manufacturing. 60 doesn't speak English very well but the meaning get through loud and clear that he loves America. The other members all work for the City of Reutlingen. three in fire and ems and the other is a police officer.
After arriving in the area, the first stop was to a local fire equipment store to pick up four helmets that the group ordered from Germany. They were proud to wear them on the many calls they ran while they were staying in two of our fire stations. Three members rode on Tower 1 and Rescue 1 at Plum and Franklin Streets while three rode on Ladder 1 and Engine 3 at 3rd and Court, half way through the week the switched.
In the beginning of the week our German friends made a meal called "Maultasche". They brought wraps of dough with them and purchased the other ingredients here. It is a favorite dish in Germany and the army of firefighters that it fed seem to unanimously agree that it was an excellent dish.
Hanging at the firehouse wasn't the only thing the German firefighters did during their visit to Reading. Tours of the city and the various functions of the department, including the training center and 911, were part of the agenda. The six were also invited to visit the police's firing range. On Sunday the 12th the group drove to New York for the day. They visited several landmarks and the site of the World Trade Center. A few days were also set aside for planned excursions to area attractions.
On Wednesday, several of our members treated them to Coney Island dogs at a local eatery before hopping across town to take in some karaoke at another popular hot spot. Then on Saturday, the Germans attended the Firefighters 8th annual St. Patty's Day Bash at the Temple Fire Company.
Sunday afternoon they said goodbye to Reading and drove south to continue their visit to the states. They will stop in Washington, D.C. and then proceed on to Myrtle Beach before driving back to Philadelphia for their flight home. We wish our friend safe travels on the rest of their holiday and continued good health to them and all our friends from Reutlingen.
