July 4, 2008. The U.S. Embassy in Berlin, Germany celebrated U.S. Independence Day and the Grand Opening of the new embassy building on Pariser Platz. Chancellor Angela Merkel, former President George H. W. Bush, and Ambassador William R. Timken, Jr. spoke about the historical significance of the new embassy site which serves as a living symbol of the German-American partnership. As a tribute to the 60th anniversary of the Berlin Airlift, a group of Airlift pilots also participated, among them Col. Gail Halvorsen, the original candy bomber. The traditional fireworks display closed the program in the evening. Walter James Blumberg is pictured with the Pariser Platz entrance to the new embassy in background. Camera phone photo by George H.W. Bush.
YouTube | July 9, 2008
