THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, August 13, 1995 TAG: 9508130318
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 09 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: Short : 33 lines
Mayor Meyera E. Oberndorf and 32 other Virginia Beach residents left Friday for a nine-day trip to Norway to help celebrate the 275th anniversary of the city of Moss.
``This trip is a wonderful opportunity for the citizens of Virginia Beach to interact with citizens from Norway,'' Oberndorf said in a prepared statement. ``As the world continues to grow smaller, it is absolutely essential that we have an understanding of our neighbors abroad.''
Moss, one of Virginia Beach's Sister Cities through a cultural exchange program, donated to the city the bronze statue of the Norwegian Lady, which has stood at 25th Street and the oceanfront since 1962. The city of Moss has an identical statue. The statue memorializes the Dictator, a Norwegian vessel that sank off the Virginia Beach coast in 1891, killing seven people.
Virginia Beach is in the process of landscaping and refurbishing the plaza around its statue. The project is expected to be finished this fall in anticipation of a possible visit in October by the King and Queen of Norway.
Oberndorf's trip is sponsored by the Moss/Virginia Beach Sister City Association. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Meyera Oberndorf
by CNB