PW_2_2019

Article

A Blue Welcome Around the World George Krug , IPA Colorado

My name is George Krug and I live in Colorado. I am taking this opportunity to thank IPA Members and Blue Knights in Romania for brotherhood they demonstrated. In July 2018 I was motorcycling from Germany to Odessa in the Ukraine. I was traveling with about forty other Law Enforcement bikers. We were met several times by Romanian police officers. M y group was made up primarily of Germans and Austrians , with a couple of Americans and a Belgian for good measure. We traveled from the Czech Republic through Slovakia, Hungary, Blue Knights event in Rome 2018

Serbia, Bulgaria and the Ukraine. The roads got progressively worse until we were riding on the dilapidated dirt tracks of a bygone era. However, we finally reached the city of Mamaia in Romania, where we lounged in the soothing waters of the Black Sea. In the evening we were welcomed by Romanian Blue Knights and presented with inscribed lanyards to commemorate our visit. Several days later they journeyed many hours to visit us again, in Galati, Romania, this time bringing home made bottles of Slivovitz. They had arranged for some friends in Moldova to give us a tour of the area. They also arranged an “express entry” when we returned to Romania after visiting Ukraine and Moldova. In Moldova we were welcomed by another group of bikers, who took us on a spectacular day’s ride of the countryside. We visited the Epoca De Piatra subterranean restaurant, had lunch in the ancient town of Villa Etnika, toured the Orhei Vechi Monastary, visited the Crikova Winery, and finally rode through a corn field to a beautiful spot overlooking a bend in the Raut River. Then, our guides produced a few bottles of champagne and plastic cups. We all sat in the grass and enjoyed the view, the camaraderie and the laughs. The next day we made our way to the Romanian border. When we reached the Romanian border, an officer was waiting for us at the back of two long lines of vehicles. He waived us to an unused border inspection station, where an officer collected our documents. Knowing I was from America,

he smilingly addressed me in English and named my country’s last five Presidents. After he stamped our passports, he wished us a safe trip. This was amazing as it took almost three hours to cross into the Ukraine! In the city of Vaslui, Romania, the Mayor’s Office had set up tents to shelter us from the rain. They provided hot drinks and bottled water. The Mayor’s representatives welcomed us to the city and requested we return when we had more time to stay. There were 15 to 20 police officers there for photos and to safeguard our motorcycles. The Mayor’s Representative then took us to the Royal Church of Stephen the Great, which dates back to 1490. The entire way we were photographed by the local media. I felt very important. At the Church we were given a private tour of the Chapel, commemorating the beheading of Saint John the Baptist. Afterwards we had a police escort from town, at break neck speeds, with lights flashing and sirens screaming. We were escorted to Chisnau Botanical Garden where we went for a stroll while an officer watched our bikes. The garden restaurant was waiting for our group. We had a wonderful meal, which included a large birthday cake for one of our members. A great time was had by all and after the meal, we bid our hosts a fond farewell. I am relating this story to show that the brotherhood does extend beyond our borders. Travelling in Europe I have found that, with such a diversity of languages, many professionals also speak English. I have never felt alone or alienated when visiting with colleagues. No one ever cares what your position or your pay level is, just your membership in “the Club”. In many countries the International Police Association is the only organization permitted to Police Officers. I went to a Police Station in Odessa, Ukraine, to trade for a Police patch. I identified myself and a supervisor brought out patches from the City of Odessa, and their country’s National Patch. After they took photos of me with their officer, they were amazed when I offered the American patch that I’d started with. They didn’t understand that I was giving it to them. So, there is a very accommodating culture in Europe, and I recommend that you travel. I don’t have words to describe my gratitude for the welcome that they provided. By the way, my group will be returning to Romania in 2021.

George Krug pictured on left

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POLICE WORLD Vol 64 No.2, 2019