USAG Rheinland-Pfalz strengthens ties with Baumholder community at German-American Oktoberfest

BAUMHOLDER, Germany - German-American friendship right here in our community is especially important in these times. In times when there are more problems than solutions, when you don't know if a friend is still a friend, and when there are more reasons to reflect than to rejoice. Bernd Alsfasser, mayor of the district of Baumholder, emphasized this at the opening of the German-American Oktoberfest on Sept. 25 at the market hall in Berglangenbach.

He said this is why he is especially looking forward to this festival, which is not about high-level politics but about friendship, good conversation and having fun at the Bavarian Triathlon. Gingerbread hearts at the entrance, a Bavarian buffet and traditional blue-and-white decorations set the right atmosphere.

Col. Jerry L. Wood, Jr., U.S. Army Garrison Rheinland-Pfalz commander, and Command Sgt. Maj. Randy Rivera represented the garrison at the event, with Wood successfully tapping the ceremonial keg on his first try to open the festivities. Tommy Mize, Installation Management Command Europe director, traveled more than an hour to attend this partnership-building event for the first time.

During the event, the crowd enjoyed music by the Böhmischen 6, the excellent hospitality provided by the Berglangenbach Fire Department, and the Bavarian Triathlon competitions, in which mixed German-American teams competed in hammering nails one tap at a time, holding up the beer stein for as long as possible, and downing their glasses. In the end, the winners in the men's division were Michael DiPietro, Ian McClure, and Michael Williams; in the women's division, Isabell Pokorny, Christine Johann, and Rachel Rivera.

The mayor will invite the winners to a breakfast soon. Over beer, white sausages, pork knuckles, and plenty of good conversation, the approximately 100 invited guests celebrated German-American friendship until shortly before midnight.

After Alsfasser's brief speech, Thomas Johann from the utility company OIE, which co-sponsors the event, and Lutz Altekrüger, mayor of Rückweiler, took the floor - one delivering the German portion, the other the English portion.

"The German-American friendship in our region is far more than just a historical legacy," Johann began. It is a living partnership, mutual respect, and a sense of community that connects generations. But this friendship does not thrive on words alone. Rather, it thrives on the people who shape it with dedication, passion, and heart and soul.

In this context, two men named Bernd were to be honored that evening. "Bernd and Bernd - they're twins," joked Altekrüger. He was referring not only to the mayor of the district but also to Bernd Mai, who helped organize the celebration on behalf of the Baumholder Military Community.

"You both are outstanding ambassadors of German-American friendship in our region. Your dedication has brought many people together and enriched our community," Altekrüger said.

Both have given a face to German-American friendship. Johann and Altekrüger went into detail about the honorees.

Alsfasser, through his extraordinary personal dedication and time, helps ensure that the special spirit of friendship between the two nations is not only preserved but can be experienced anew time and again.

"Bernd Alsfasser spares no effort to build bridges and bring people together." Johann said. His commitment goes far beyond what one might expect from a public official. "It is an expression of a deep conviction that friendship, understanding, and solidarity are of inestimable value."

However, German-American friendship in Baumholder and the surrounding region also thrives thanks to people like Bernd Mai, who "often work behind the scenes, yet whose contribution is of inestimable importance."

Johann continued: "His steadfast commitment has played a key role in ensuring that our community remains characterized by openness, trust, and mutual respect." His dedication is marked above all by reliability: "He's simply there when support is needed. He is a point of contact, a friend, and an ambassador all at once."

USAG Rheinland-Pfalz sets, serves and secures the total force community, enabling power projection for the European Theater. Connect with us: https://linktr.ee/usag_rp