In late August Dan and a fellow comrade from his time of active duty had been invited to a special training on a U.S. military rifle range and facility. As Dan is still in good relationship to German and American military personnel it was both a great time and an honor for the former soldier to keep up his gun, fire, and movement skills with the allied forces. Among high ranked soldiers the two brothers in arms spent the entire day on the training facility, which itself bore witness to the close relationship between the Germans and Americans, also with regard to the coorperation in their war against terrorism. Dan stated after the special training that "it is great to be here, out with my fellow soldiers and comrades, because whenever I am around people who still defend our values and virtues against the crime and violence in the world I feel like part of a commitment and community larger than any of us. Moreover, there will always be a soldier in me, because I doubt that my hands will ever forget the cold steel they once held to defend our freedom and preserve peace." After the training Dan and his companion were awarded by the U.S. Armed Forces for their marksmanship.