The list of "Interoperability Heroes," which according to the FMN definition names those persons who have "displayed an admirable and commendable spirit for federation and contributed to the development and realization of interoperability in the context of federal mission networking," has so far included a dozen names. Lies and Dahlberg are now not only two more, but also the first German names. "The award came as quite a surprise to us," say Lies and Dahlberg. Both emphasize: "The honor has a very special significance for us."