From SHAPE:  Adm. James Stavridis, Supreme Allied Commander Europe and Commander United States European Command, receives the “Grand Merit Cross with Star” from the German Minister of Defence, Dr. Thomas de Maiziere at the German Ministry of Defence in Berlin, Germany on April 17, 2013. . . .

After receiving the “Grand Merit Cross with Star “, Adm. James Stavridis, Supreme Allied Commander Europe and Commander United States European Command, thanked the German Minister of Defence, Dr. Thomas de Maiziere and shared his appreciation for the NATO and EUCOM relationship with the German forces, "A true testament of this noteworthy relationship is your willingness to host to NATO Commands and Forces – USAFE in Ramstein; EUCOM/AFRICOM in Stuttgart, USAREUR in Wiesbaden and additional U.S. Forces throughout Germany. We share a common heritage, but also common values of democracy, human rights, and freedom of speech”.   (photo: Sgt Peter Buitenhuis, RNLAF) 

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