I have never spoken on this list til now. I use to be on many lists and all that was ever said on those lists were genealogy. This list has spirit. I have learned more history just reading the emails and discussions that go on. What is genealogy? It is not just dates and names but people and their lives, their problems and yes their wars. I wish that there were not wars but thoughout history there have always been wars and these wars change people and their lives which changes all of our genealogy.
I want to thank all of the wonderful people who talked about the religion of Germany, of the language of Germany, of the occupations of Germany, and the other interesting subjects and of America, the melting pot of many nationalities.
Thank you for listening and a very Merrry Christmas to all.
Leslie
Those are very nice and thoughtful words Leslie. Since many folks are out of house tending to the holidays (you think they'd have better things to do!), let me be the first to thank you on behalf of the list. I think you summed it up quite nicely with the title of your post alone! This as you may gather is a bi-lingual list, with folks from both sides of the Atlantic participating in open discussions (principality of Lichtenstein excluded, only cuz it's too darn hard to pronounce). So far no bloodshed either (though we did have a good Plattd��tsche rumble not long back, that is until the Frisians went home in exasperation, wooden shoes in tow). 
Now I happen to go back to the late '90s here and have gotten fairly good at recognizing names. Somewhere I recall distinctly seeing yours before. Come clean, 'cause if by some willy nilly stroke of cosmic luck I happen spot one of your posts in my private notes, the old H-L paddle [= don't ask, don't tell] <<may>> have to be requisitioned (on the other hand you may have little to fear, as rumor has it Rump won't give it up).
Jb
Leslie wrote: