READING, Pa. – It was a farewell gathering that wrapped up a special occasion and a momentous celebration on Monday morning.
Delegates from Reading’s sister cities of Reading, England and Reutlingen, Germany paid a visit to Pennsylvania to join in a number of festivities for the Fourth of July holiday.
“I arrived on Friday and then we went straight to a baseball game,” says Tony Jones, the former mayor of Reading, England. “I’d never been to a baseball game. It was fantastic; [I] really, really enjoyed it.”
On Saturday, the delegates participated in the Wyomissing Fourth of July parade.
“We had wonderful days here in Reading,” says Thomas Keck, mayor of Reutlingen, Germany. “It’s my second stay here. We were here three years ago to celebrate the anniversary of Reading.”
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During their visit they also made it to other parts of Berks and Lancaster counties.
“For the first time in my life, I saw Amish people, very interesting,” says Keck. “I could talk with them in Pennsylvania Dutch. They understood me, I understood them, wonderful.”
Jones first visited Reading in the wake of 9/11 and says he’s come many times since then. He says he remembers when the U.S. celebrated the bicentennial. He wanted to be here for the 250th.
“I wouldn’t hedge my bets and say I’d be around to see the 300th,” says Jones. “I could either sit at home and watch the BBC coverage of the celebrations here, or I could come back and meet with old friends and new friends and it’s special. It’s been special to be in your country for that celebration.”
“I think such trips are important to bring the relationship forward,” says Keck.