Budenbach's Helmut Conrad receives a badge of honor for decades of commitment

Budenbach's Helmut Conrad receives a badge of honor for decades of commitment

A well-deserved cheer was recently heard in the district hall when Helmut Conrad from Budenbach was presented with the coveted badge of honor from the state of Rhineland-Palatinate. This award is one of the country's highest honors for volunteer work and recognizes people who have been committed to the common good for many years. District Administrator Volker Boch, who presented the award on behalf of Prime Minister Alexander Schweitzer, acknowledged Conrad's decades-long commitment to his home community, which represents a shining example of civic commitment, as Antenne KH reports.

But who is Helmut Conrad? The committed Budenbacher has not only been a member of the local council since 1989, but was also the first alderman for a long time. He was also actively involved in the Budenbach Volunteer Fire Department between 1969 and 2014. In the Simmern/Hunsrück municipality, he also took on the role of deputy parliamentary group spokesman in the municipal council. The ceremony was attended by important personalities from the community, including Mayor Michael Boos and local mayor Manfred Manderscheid, who underlined the value of people like Conrad for community life.

Look into the past

The importance of Helmut Conrad's commitment is also reflected in the inaugural meeting of the local council on July 1, 2024. At this meeting, Conrad appointed Manfred Manderscheid as local mayor and received thanks for his years of commitment. Manderscheid, who served as a council member and local mayor for over 25 years, was honored by Mayor Boos with a certificate of thanks from the Association of Municipalities and Cities of Rhineland-Palatinate. The meeting was a symbol of the generational change in the local council and the continuation of committed cooperation, as OG Budenbach notes.

Another item that came into the spotlight at this meeting was a special recognition of Conrad's achievements, which was announced for the community meeting in January 2025. This recognition reflects the appreciation that Conrad enjoys within the community. In addition, the new councilor, Mario “Theo” Schmäl, was elected, which brings a breath of fresh air into community work.

Volunteering in Rhineland-Palatinate

The Badge of Honor for Rhineland-Palatinate, which Conrad received, is not only an award for personal commitment, but also an expression of solidarity in volunteer work. In Rhineland-Palatinate there are several awards for remarkable commitment, such as the Medal of Merit, the Bridge Prize or the State Medal for special social services. These awards show that volunteer commitment is highly valued in many areas, be it social, cultural or scientific initiatives, as RLP Service emphasizes.

Honoring Helmut Conrad is therefore more than a celebratory act - it is an appreciation of a life's work that is characterized by energetic action and dedication. For the community of Budenbach, he remains an outstanding example of how much influence an individual can have on the community. It remains to be hoped that many other citizens will follow this path and become similarly committed to the common good.