erald Union H Wiesbaden: Our home in Germany
Vol. XXIII, No. 4
Wiesbaden Middle School celebrates Blue Ribbon Award
Nov. 19, 2015
Wiesbaden honors veterans
By Shayna Brouker
U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden Public Affairs Office
Wiesbaden Middle School racked up another ribbon to its collection of accolades for excellence, celebrating with a schoolwide assembly Nov. 2. Along with students and teachers, Department of Defense Education Activity-Europe Superintendent Dr. Deb McMullen and U.S. Army Europe Commanding General, Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges, were in attendance. “What an honor you have brought to DoDEA,” she said. “It’s because of your dedication that you brought home the Blue Ribbon.” WMS is one of 335 schools recognized as National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2015, “based on their overall academic excellence or their progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups. These schools demonstrate that all students can achieve to high levels. The National Blue Ribbon School award affirms the hard work of students, educators, families, and communities in creating safe and welcoming schools where students master challenging content. The National Blue Ribbon School flag gracing an entry or flying overhead is a widely recognized symbol of exemplary teaching and learning,” according to the website. It’s also the first in history to earn both the Blue Ribbon and the Green Ribbon, which recognizes schools that achieve excellence in environmental friendliness and creating healthy environments. “We are very proud of you and all that Dr. Hargis and her team of educators has done,” said USAG Wiesbaden Garrison Commander Col. Mary Martin in a video. “Go Wildcats, keep up the great success. We pray for your continued success.” Several other VIPs shared praise for the school, including one DoDEA alumnus and military child whom Principal Dr. Susan Hargis found through social media: former ambassador to Germany from 1991 to 1993, Robert Kimmitt, who himself attended DoDEA schools as a child when his family was See ‘Blue’ on page 4
Inside Turkey Trot
See photos of the fowl run on page 16.
Photo by Jacob Corbin
U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden Soldiers fold the U.S. flag during a Veterans Day retreat ceremony Nov. 10 on Clay Kaserne. dedication, camaraderie and service and also veterans in partner countries, By Shayna Brouker U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden of all Veterans, from single enlistment such as Georgia, which is the second Public Affairs Office to career Soldiers,” said U.S. Army largest troop contributor to Operation U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden Europe Commanding General Lt. Enduring Freedom behind the U.S. commands gathered Nov. 11 to rec- Gen. Ben Hodges. “The kinship of “We have to make 30,000 troops ognize their own at a Veterans Day Veterans is a strong bond.” look and feel like 300,000, but I’m ceremony at the flagpole. He recognized the Veterans of For- confident we can do that because we “We’re here to commemorate the eign Wars Post 27 for their attendance have a veteran formation.”
Garrison pays homage to Native American Heritage By Shayna Brouker U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden Public Affairs Office
The U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden community was treated to an event commemorating the heritage and contributions of the Native American people Nov. 12 at the Tony Bass Auditorium. Minds were enlightened and stereotypes were shed
through guest speakers and rousing song and dance performances at the Native American Heritage Observance event. It was hosted by USAG Wiesbaden Equal Employment Opportunity and the 66th Military Intelligence Brigade. “It is such an honor for 66th to host this event,” said Col. David Pendall, brigade commander. “We are here to celebrate the fabric of the
DoDEA All Star game
Schools team up, face off. See page 12.
Army, which is our people and diversity.” Native Americans have served in every war since the United States’ forming, and since 9/11 have served in disproportionate numbers compared with other groups: There was a 69 percent increase in officers and a 20 percent increase in enlistments, See ‘Heritage’ on page 5
CYSS Inspection CYSS gets perfect score. See page 6.
Photo by Shayna Brouker
Children participate at the Native American Heritage Observance Nov. 12.