10 years LAZARUS UNION Ceremony

Ceremony and Concert at The Grunerhof

A report by “Spectator”
Pictures by Hannes Hochmuth and Hans-Rudolf Gries

The ceremony was initiated by the Band of the Union playing the “LAZARUS UNION March” followed by a welcoming address from the Secretary-General.

In his speech, Secretary General Oliver Gruber-Lavin welcomed all the comrades and friends of the LAZARUS UNION present. Given the dramatic events at the Austro-Hungarian border, as well as in Hungary, he recalled the ideals of the LAZARUS UNION: “The main principles of the CSLI are tolerance, humility, compassion and charity. We are open to all people, regardless of nationality, ethnicity, religion, age, social status or origin. We are true to our motto: Everybody can do something. – Let us create new perspectives.” Finally, he addressed a few words in English to the international guests and wished all those present a great afternoon and evening.

The President of the Lazarus Union, Senator h.c. Wolfgang Steinhardt, then “took command”. In the first part of the event new members were accepted, promotions carried out and special awards presented. The “master of ceremonies” of the Union, CSLI Colonel and Envoy, Rudi Murth, was awarded the Grand Silver Star of the Lazarus Union, and Helene and Andreas Kneidinger Menhardt with the Peace Cross, Officer Level.

This was followed by the song “Give My Love to My Vienna” from the Operetta “Countess Maritza” by Emmerich Kalman, sung by CSLI Captain Michael Wagner. The numerous musicians of the Band of the Union provided an excellent accompaniment.

CSLI Major General Bernd Cave, Commander of the CSLI Corps SOF “Sword of Freedom”, and CSLI Colonel Danny Koch, SOF Commander for Germany, new UN delegates of the Union at the United Nations in Geneva then received the UN Delegate Medal from the hand of the President.

Between performances by the Band of the Union more awards were made to deserving comrades and friends of the Union.

A special highlight was the award of the Grand Star of the LAZARUS UNION to the Vice President and Adjutant General of the LAZARUS UNION, Christoph Ptak.

At the conclusion of the ceremony the Vice-President and Union Commander handed over to CSLI General Roberto Ortiz, CSLI Commander in Latin America and Brazil, to present international awards to members of the Lazarus Union.

The ceremony ended with “Parade-Defiliermarsch” by Ambrosch followed by “the LAZARUS UNION March”.

“Spectator”

The following comrades received Awards:

Special Awards:

Rudi Murth–Grand SilverStar of the Lazarus Union, Helene Kneidinger–Peace Cross Officer, Andreas Menhardt–Peace Cross Officer

First Award group:

Musicians:

Erwin Stöckl–Officer Cross of Merit, Manfred Hinterleitner–Officer Cross of Merit, Richand Ruhland–Officer Cross of Merit, Peter Kröll–Officer Cross of Merit, MinRat. Dr.Manfred Paul–Officer Cross of Merit, Dr.Gertrude Paul–Officer Cross of Merit, Susanne Urteil–Officer Cross of Merit, Wolfgang Urteil–Officer Cross of Merit, Barbara Zisser–Officer Cross of Merit, ADir.Jan Kolaja–Officer Cross of Merit, Mag.Michael Wagner–Officer Cross of Merit, Hermann Gill–Officer Cross of Merit, Fritz Weinwurm–Officer Cross of Merit, Dominik Hinterleitner–Officer Cross of Merit, Franz Lentner–Flame of Mercy Silver Star, Fritz Lentner–Flame of Mercy Gold Star

Award MAA (Handover to Bernd Höhle and Danny Koch)

Bernd Höhle–UN Delegate Medal, Danny Koch–UN Delegate Medal

Second Award group:

LM Richard Waller–Medal of friendship in GOLD, OFM Christian Nöbauer–Medal of Friendship in GOLD, Herbert Alexander Bauer–Lazarus Cross Officer, Gerhard Kirchmayer–Lazarus Cross Officer, Zw.Kontr.Insp.I.R. Robert Böck-UN-NGO Officer Cross

Third award Group:

Peter Scherer–Lazarus Medal with Honour Clip and Officer Foundation Cross, Martin Weitgasser–Flame of Mercy Officer, Brigitte Brunner–Flame of Mercy Grand Commander, OBR Friedrich Zeitelberger-Flame of Mercy Grand Commander, Mike Boxall–Flame of Mercy Gold Star, Dr.h.c. Gerhard Ficker–Flame of Mercy Gold Star

Fourth Award Group:

RegRat Franz Satzinger–Peace Medal in GOLD, BI Ing.Benjamin Burkhart–Peace Cross Officer, Kulturdirektor Alfred Deimbacher–Peace Cross with Silver Star, Roberto Ortiz–Peace Cross with Diamond Star

Special Award:

Christoph Ptak–Grand Star of the Lazarus Union

Awards from Brazil:

Wolfgang Steinhardt, Christoph Ptak, Josef-Maria Gebel, Monika Gries, Hans Rudolf Gries, Oliver Gruber-Lavin, Dipl.Ing.Herbert Paulis, Mag.Wolfgang Heuer, Mike Boxall