This ushanka, also known as a pile cap, is from the Nationale Volksarmee, or National People's Army (NVA), which was the armed forces of the German Democratic Republic between 1956 to 1990. It is made of gray wool and polyester and features a silver aluminum cockade of a wreath surrounding the NVA's emblem. An interior stamp reads "NVA 57 1856 G 5" with the G representing the production year 1981. Another stamp reads "Made in East Germany | 55% Polyester 45% Wool". This cap also has an interior white maker label with the number "57" which is the size. 

 

"Dr. Wilhelm (Bill) Werner Seeger was born on May 7th, 1936, to Emilie and William Seeger in Alaska, Michigan. He started his education at Immanuel Lutheran School and graduated from Central High School. He then went on to earn degrees from Grand Rapids Community College, the University of Michigan, and his doctorate at the University of Wisconsin. He was proud of his German heritage which led him to a career in teaching German studies at Grand Valley State University where he taught for over 40 years. He played a vital role in laying the foundation for GVSU's International Education Program in 1967, by asking his German relatives to take in GVSU students. Growing up above The Schnitzelbank Restaurant (on Jefferson Avenue-Grand Rapids), Bill's first language was German. Later in life, he reminisced about cleaning tables and bar-tending as a young adult. The Schnitzelbank Restaurant was established by his grandparents, Gustav and Martha Horn who settled in Grand Rapids, after emigrating from Germany in the 1920s with their daughters Charlotte and Emilie. Bill passed away at the age of 85 on March 9th, 2022." (Obituary from Mlive)
 

"Dr. Mary Anderson Seeger, born in 1940, was a retired dean and professor emerita of modern languages and literatures at Grand Valley State University. She and her husband Wilhelm began teaching at GVSU in 1965 and laid the groundwork for the university's international education program. She retired in 2005 as dean of Academic Resources and Special Programs and professor of modern languages and literatures. When she was named dean in 1989, she was the first woman to hold that position on campus. During her 40-year career at Grand Valley, Seeger also served as assistant, then associate dean for the College of Arts and Sciences, acting director of the Graduate School of Education, and director of the Academic Resource Center. In 1983 Seeger initiated the first formal employee annual giving campaign. She served in a campaign leadership role and, in her retirement, Seeger continued her dedication to faculty, staff, and retiree giving as an integral member of the Advisory Cabinet for the Faculty and Staff Annual Giving Campaign. Seeger served as president of the Greater Grand Rapids Women’s History Council, executive officer and board member for the Michigan ACE Women's Network, and was a board member for the Women’s Resource Council, American Association for University Women, Girl Scouts USA, and Equity of Female Athletes Advisory Board, among other organizations. She passed away at the age of 79 on June 11th, 2019." (Information provided by GVSU)