Danish American Society
The Center for Danish American Cultural Activities in the Greater New York Area
212-980-6240
DAS HONORS
2009 DAS Past Presidents
From left to right
Palle Lorentzen, 1983-84
Bent Olrik, 1989-93
Tom Sodeman, 1987-89
Mike Halpern (husband of late Neel Resling Halpern), 1993-96
Allen Milman, 2003-08
Flemming Heilmann, 1996-99 |
View the pictures of our 50th year Anniversary Cruise Gala Dinner Dance around Manhatten here. |
| Speech given by Sven Mohr, president of DAS 2009 |
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Consul Mandford,
Past Presidents,
Honored guest…
It is indeed my pleasure as the current President of The Society to share with you in the 50th anniversary, and celebration of our Past President
The big Five Oh -
wow, I remember as a young person thinking about fifty
as something WAY in the future, something - or someone, ancient.
Half a century away.
Then in a blink - you pass the fifty mark,
look back in wonder, and -
wonder where it all went.
And how fast.
As I was contemplating the magic of the past 50 years, I realized how chaotic, and full of change they have been.
Politically, economically, scientifically, environmentally.
But lets hop back to refresh the memory for those old enough to remember and to educate the younger ones among us…
Let us pick… say… 1959
In the 1959 Series:
The Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Chicago White Sox,
four games to two.
(But you all knew that - right?)
In Danish Soccer, 1st Division, B 1909 wins the championship.
Jimi Hendrix buys first electric guitar:
Buddy Holly, is killed in a plane crash in Iowa.
And this date will be known as "The Day the Music Died".
Eddie Fisher marries Elizabeth Taylor
Emma Thompson and John McEnroe are borne,
Frank Lloyd Wright, and Errol Flynn die
The Vietnam War starts.
- And the Oscar goes to… Gigi
Best Actor: David Niven,
Best Actress: Susan Hayward,
Denmark joins the European Free Trade Association.
The Soviet Union successfully launches Luna 1 spacecraft.
I start my first year at Art School
(just checking to see if you are still with me here…)
Alaska is admitted as the 49th and Hawaii as the 50th U.S. state.
The United States recognizes the new Cuban government of
Fidel Castro.
Pantyhose is introduced
The Barbie doll debuts.
Texting is something you do on a typewriter.
Phones are not in your pocket but in booths, usually with a metal washer stuck in the coin slot, rendering them in-operable.
Space stations - interplanetary travel - and walking on the moon, is science-fiction in Ray Bradbury books
and on the covers of Flash Gordon comics.
U-tube is B&W and in your parents living room
Social Media is a note, passed to you
by your best friend, from his younger sister,
wherein she declares her undying love for you.
It is in this Goulash of events that 5 Danes have the enlightened idea of forming a Society to help make the first New York visit by The Royal Highnesses King Frederik 9 and Queen Ingrid, festive and important.
The original signatories to the charter of what would become
"The Danish American Society", were Casper Hasselriis, Poul Christensen, Alfred Bedard, Agnes Bedard and Grace Maher.
It is amazing to me that we have reached 50 without much of the tumultuous change that otherwise has characterized the past five decades.
As a not-for-profit organization, DAS has been a steadfast to its charter in the enrichment and expansion of Danish-American relations both social and cultural.
Our programs have been one constant, in the sea of change;
Proud of our Danish heritage we celebrate:
The Danish Crown, at Her Majesty the Queen's birthday,
The selection of the annual D.A.N.C.E. award winners,
An occasional Theater event,
A trip to the US open, (missed Carolyn this year though)
"The Person of the Year" Gala Dinner Dance,
Morten's Aften, - and
Christmas at the Consul General with volumes of children, and Santa-Haulund.
So, whether you are an American, a Dane, or all of the above -
DAS provides a venue for exchanging of ideas; political, cultural or mercantile; or simply for re-connecting with old friends.
We have been successful thanks to a most diligent crew of Board Members. (Torben Gettermann [honorary chair], Kim Erik Qvistorff [chair], Iben Cenholt, Lisa Resling Halpern, Hanne Hochheim, Naja Hougaard, Jørgen Lorentzen, Morten Marott, Allen I. Milman, Sven Mohr, Sven Moller, Susanne Thomsen))
and
Support from friends like:
The Danish American Chamber of Commerce
The Seaman's Church, The Byrum group
and
a never failing wind in our sails from our many sponsors.
Most consistently Mærsk, SAS, Shipco, John Loeb jr., Carlsberg, Skagen Watch, Lego, Royal Copenhagen and Bang and Olufsen…
But more than anything
the responsibility for the true course of our ship,
has always been with our Captains.
Our past Presidents.
They have seamlessly passed the helm to new generations, with gentle guidance to stay the course.
It is therefore with enormous gratitude that
we recognize them tonight as
"Persons of The Year".
Let me to read the list of Past Presidents, some are no longer with us, but several are here tonight, so as I read your name please come forward.
Poul A. Christensen
Erik Thune
Carl Michaelsen
John Heilmann
Jørgen Kolding
Torben Hue-Jensen
Poul Steffensen
Brian Lorenz
Palle Lorentzen
Hans C. Basse
Jørgen Kolding, sends his regards, but could not attend
Tom Sodemann
Bent Olrik
Neel Resling Halpern, accepting for Neel, is her Husband Michael
Flemming Heilmann
Line Normann
Lilli Tragos, sends her regards, but could not attend
Allen I. Milman
(Hand out the Crystal)
A round of applause for our Past Presidents, please…
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| For more information, please contact |
Naja Hougaard
Secretary
212.980.6240 Office
212.754.1904 Fax |
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©2009, Danish American Society |
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