The hugest ever 66th MI delegation showed reference to the Augsburg Plärrer Fair parade. With more than 60 uniformed soldiers and further civilians, MAJ John Walley demonstrated the still existing affinity between the U.S. Army and her former garrison city to the Augsburg public.
Also of great interest was the short walk-through the Neues Amerika Haus in former Bldg 116, Sheridan Kaserne (in German now “Halle116”), where male and females could dress up separately. With a police escort, both busses drove to the meeting point in Maximilianstraße, where they were welcomed by Lord Mayor Eva Weber.
Accompanied by military cadence singing, a lot of acclamations and without incidence, the parade led straight down to the beer tent with BBQ chicken and beer. As COL Bembenek last year, also MAJ Walley could not resist to conduct a medley of American tunes on the bandstand.
Thanks for the organization to Wiesbaden’s 66th MI Brigade’s SFC Katherine Smelley and Georg Feuerer of the Amerika in Augsburg e.V. society as well as thanks to the City of Augsburg and Lord Mayor Eva Weber for the official invitation. Also thanks to the numerous participants in the background, who contributed to this powerful parade.
Line-up of the parade delegation in front of the Neues Amerika Haus’ doors of Bldg 116. AiA’s Wolfgang Poeppel briefly explains the individual sections of the exposition.
A second parade photo in front of the Herkulesbrunnen at the Maximilianstraße. Host Lord Mayor Eva Weber In the center.
The 66th MI BDE delegation in front of the Perlach tower’s historical scenery. The road is going on to the Plärrer Fair ground.
With an impressive, long marching column, the soldiers from Wiesbaden parade under a gorgeous white and blue Bavarian sky for Augsburg’s public, waking up a lot of memories of earlier times.
Bavarian style beer tent atmosphere is pleasing the American soldiers.
Major John Walley, sensitively and masterly conducting American tunes.
The band leader of the Biberbacher Blasorchester congratulates temporary conductor MAJ Walley to his successful action.
An American twin pack – so far, such a Plärrer Fair Parade participation did never exist! We hope that this event will live on in the memory of the young U.S. soldiers.
Photos: Amerika in Augsburg e.V., Markus Papak, 66th MI BDE
Translation: Heinz Strüber
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