Medal of Merit of the Federal Order of Merit for Walter Kroh

Walter Kroh from the Allendorf district of Battenfeld is a well-known personality in the upper Eder valley. For more than three decades he accompanied young people on their way into life as a primary and secondary school teacher. As a local politician, he also contributed to the development of his home region for decades. He is also known to many people as an active footballer and sports and club official.

Due to his extraordinary commitment to the community, Walter Kroh received the Medal of Merit of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany, which was presented to him by First District Commissioner Karl-Friedrich Frese on behalf of the Federal President. Due to his failing health, the award ceremony took place in the closest circle of family, friends and companions.

In his laudation, the First District Commissioner emphasised that Kroh, like so many exemplary volunteers, was a "multiple offender". He devoted a large part of his free time to local politics and sports, but as a kind of balance to these challenges he was also active in the rabbit breeding club K 80, which he co-founded in 1976 and in which he filled many functions, from the first chairman to the breed warden to the studbook keeper. "Along the way, he also achieved great breeding successes, his animals were German champions eight times and national champions once," Frese revealed. What Kroh started, he did consistently and correctly.

Many sports fans in the upper Eder valley know Walter Kroh as an active player and captain of the SG 1920 Battenfeld (Eder) e.V., which he led to many successes over the years. He was the club's first chairman from 1974 to 1992 and, after holding other positions in the meantime, took over the office of first chairman again for several election periods from 1997 to 2008.

Under his responsibility, the floodlight system and the clubhouse were built, for the construction of which the members, under Kroh's leadership, made enormous contributions of their own. As a local politician, Walter Kroh was active in the local council from 1977 to 2004, 14 years of which as local chairman. "He was the driving force behind two major anniversary celebrations," said the First District Commissioner. "The 1,200th anniversary in Battenfeld in 1978 and the 1225th anniversary in 2003." The market, which had not been held since the 1930s, was reintroduced on his initiative in 1980 and continues to be very popular. With so much commitment, it is only logical that the state would like to honour its deserving citizen with a special honour.

Allendorf's mayor Klaus Junghenn also thanked Kroh for his exemplary commitment, which he hoped many younger people would take as an example. Junghenn also pointed out that Kroh had already received numerous honours. "In addition to the letter of honour from the state of Hesse, he has been presented with the bronze, silver and gold badges of honour from the Hessian Football Association as well as the DFB merit pin." He was also honoured by the State Sports Federation and the State Association of Rabbit Breeders. With the award of the Medal of Merit, the honoured is now expressing the deserved gratitude of the Federal Republic of Germany.