Ind. Guardsmen earns high German honor

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Lafayette native and Indiana Guardsmen Cpt. Bryan Kain has gained special recognition by the Federal Republic of Germany for his services overseas.

During his time served with the International Security Assistance Forces of Afghanistan, Kain worked to assist numerous German construction projects for the Afghan National Army's Engineer and Combat Service Support Schools. All German projects were then completed on time with his help.

Germany's president has approved for Kain to receive the Federal Armed Forces Bronze Foreign Duty Medal, which is rarely awarded to non-German men and women.

"I had a lot of fun working with the Germans," said Kain. "They are just good people and we learned a lot from each other. They taught us paperwork and we taught them PowerPoint."

There was a ceremony in November for Kain’s award. Present at the ceremony was Indiana Adjutant General Maj. R. Martin Umbarger, as well as Sven Schumacher of the German Consulate who read his citation awarding him with the medal.

"This is a wonderful day for the German-American friendship," said Schumacher. "Of all the issues Germany has encountered since the end of World War II, there is not one that we could have overcome without the help of the American government, most notably being the reunification of our country."