Leverkusen, Germany. A great birthdaycelebration of Mrs. Elfie Wörner, the wife of the late GermanDefense Minister and NATO Secretary General Manfred Woerner, tookplace at a castle in Germany in the presence of more than 550 invitedguests.
They all came together to honor Elfie Wörneron her 60th birthday. Many high ranking politicians and publicfigures came to honor the popular lady, who has quietly worked behindthe scenes to promote international understanding through herlong-time engagement in arts and culture.
Her late husband, Manfred Wörner was aengaged for many years in the hard fight for freedom and peace inEurope. A great friend of America, both Ronald Reagan and George Bushheld him in high respect. Once, the former President GeorgeBush--seeing a photograph of Manfred Wörner in a book--said to avisitor at his Kennebunkport estate: "This man--he is ahero!'
And there is no wonder that Elfie Wörnerreceived also a special congratulation message from the formerAmerican president, who is still very popular not only in Germany,but also in the countries formerly occupied by the SovietUnion--Hungary, Poland and Czech Republic.
The international Order of Alexander the Great forArt and Science awarded Elfie Wörner an honorary membership onthis occasion. The document, signed by the acting Grandmaster of theOrder, the American inventor Dr. Wilson Greatbatch, was handed overthe the celebrant by the prominent German sculptor Kurt Arentz fromLeverkusen.
on the occasion
of the presentation of the document
of the Alexander Order
to Mrs. ElfiWörner
August 3, 2001
Dear Ladies and Gentlemen,
Esteemed Mrs. Wörner!
May I enrich the congratulations on your birthdaytoday with greetings from far away and with a specialhonor.
On the behalf of the Alexander Order for Art andScience, I present you, dear Mrs. Wörner, the certificate ofHonorary Membership in this spiritual society.
The Alexander Order considers it to be its duty topromote culture and science, and at the same time make contributionsto understanding on all levels among people.
This society was especially active after 1945,under the patronage of the former Greek King Paul II and the QueenFriederike, who came originally from Germany, and of the firstPresident of the Federal Republic of Germany, Professor TheodorHeuß.
In the year 1990, the society was renewed by theFrench writer Roger Peyrefitte, and above all, membership was openedto women. To the first new members of the Order belonged the ladytheologian Prof. Dr. Uta Ranke-Heinemann and the Israeli writer RuthZucker.
Dear Mrs. Wörner,
with this membership we like to honor your publicengagement, as well as your quiet work that you had begun as the wifeof the German politician Manfred Wörner, and which you continuein such an exemplary manner even today.
In addition to the document, may I hand over toyou, as a personal gift from the acting Grandmaster Dr. WilsonGreatbatch, his book with a personal dedication.
Dr. Greatbatch in the USA is the inventor of theimplantable heart pacemaker. This invention has brought much good tothe people. Today, at the age of 81 years, the scientist continues towork on new research projects.
On the special occasion of accepting a newHonorary Member, we always remember the names of former members whoare no longer with us. To them belong among others the PresidentFrancois Mitterrand, Salvador Dali, Professor Peter Ludwig and thewriter Ernst Jünger.
Our thought are also with the former President ofthe United States, Ronald Reagan, who has been living away from thepublic spotlight for several years now. In a special way we are alsoconnected with the former President George Bush, who has sent his ownpersonal greetings to Mrs. Wörner.
Highly esteemed celebrant,
hereby I present you the document, signed by theGrandmaster and by the Chancellor of the Order, Consul John Zavrel.With it you have our sincere wishes for a further successfulengagement in our democratic society.