On Saturday, September 19, 2015, 27 members of the NHHS German Club marched in the 58th Annual Von Steuben Parade in New York City. Chaperones included Herr Mark Kotulich, Herr T. Michael Fario, and Señora Sonia Melo. Two parents also attended: Mr. Harman Westra and Mrs. Pamela Coyne.
The parade is held each year on the third Saturday of September, which coincides with the official start of the Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany. After the parade, students ate an Oktoberfest-style lunch and sang German songs at an authentic German Restaurant, which was organized by Mrs. Joy LaBelle and Mr. Lenny Coyne.
The Von Steuben parade honors the German-American General Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben (1730-1794), originally from Magdeburg, in Prussia (now Germany). Von Steuben fought with distinction in the Seven Years’ War (1756-63) and offered his services to General George Washington and the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. Von Steuben was appointed Inspector General of the Army, prepared a manual of military tactics, and reorganized and improved the Continental Army. He served as General Washington’s Chief of Staff in the final years of the war, and became an American citizen in 1783.
Additionally, The German Club is running their “Oktoberfest” fundraising dinner on Thursday, Oct 29th in the Cafe B Annex from 2:30-3:30 PM. Please come out and be part of the fun.
