Bavarian Volunteers Honored with Federal Merit Orders

On 23 July 2026, Landrat Michael Koller presented the Bundesverdienstorden medal to Walter Parma and Dr Friedrich Schmidt, founding members of the senior‑citizen association Generationen Füreinander BGL e.V. in Berchtesgadener Land. The award recognized more than 12 000 volunteer hours the duo helped organize for older residents.

In a separate ceremony, Bavaria’s Science and Arts Minister Markus Blume, on behalf of the Federal President, awarded the Bundesverdienstkreuz am Bande to Herbert Dettweiler of the Donau‑Ries district. Dettweiler has spent over five decades as a village chronicler, heritage caretaker, musician and conductor, preserving local history and culture.