DEDICATED TO PRESERVING THE MEMORY AND LEGACY OF THE GREATEST HUMANITARIAN AVIATION EVENT IN HISTORY, THE BERLIN AIRLIFT.

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT!

German Order of Merit for Foundation President Tim Chopp for 

Keeping Berlin Airlift Legacy Alive!!

German Ambassador Klaus Scharioth 

with Berlin Airlift Historical Foundation President 

Tim Chopp (at left) and Col. USAF (ret.) 

Gail Halvorsen. (� German Embassy, Washington)

   Timothy Chopp, founder and president of the Berlin Airlift Historical Foundation, was presented with the prestigious Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany by Ambassador Klaus Scharioth on January 18, 2011 in the presence of family, friends, Airlift veterans and crew members of his "Spirit of Freedom", an historic Douglas C-54 converted into a flying Airlift museum.

In his speech, Ambassador Scharioth praised Chopp's enduring commitment to preserve for future generations the legacy of the Berlin Airlift which, through the heroic efforts of the United States and her allies, saved more than two million blockaded Berliners from hunger, cold, and communist rule. He pointed out that since the creation of the New Jersey-based Airlift Foundation in 1988, Tim Chopp and his Spirit of Freedom have brought the story of one of the greatest humanitarian relief efforts of all time and of  the lasting bond of friendship it created between the American and German people to countless audiences all over the United States as well as in Europe

Ambassador Klaus Scharioth awards Tim Chopp 

the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic 

of Germany. (� German Embassy, Washington)

Among the guests gathered for the occasion at the ambassador's residence in Washington was Colonel USAF (ret.) Gail Halvorsen, Airlift veteran and famed "candy bomber". Adding his words to Ambassador Scharioth�s, he reminded the audience of how this remarkable relief operation and the deeply felt gratitude of the Berliners forever changed the relations between the former enemies, and how the Berlin Airlift continues to stand out as a monument to the guiding principle of "service before self". 

To end the ceremony on a lighter note, childhood friend and long-time flight crew member Danny Urbaniak gave some humorous insights into Tim Chopp�s resilience, resourcefulness, and his outstanding negotiating skills. He pointed out that the "Spirit of Freedom" had often taken off with just enough fuel in the tank for its next destination, but always managed to get enough gas for the trip home.

Ambassador Scharioth with Tim Chopp and the crew of the "Spirit of Freedom".

For more information and photos, click here

For General Email and Inquiry: info@spiritoffreedom.org

For Aircraft Availability and Event Booking: 

scheduling@spiritoffreedom.org

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Created by: Pavan Mohan, Student, J.P. Stevens High School, Edison NJ  -   Kevin Kearney, Teacher, J.P. Stevens High School, Edison NJ