We invite you to our second German Dinner at Fisher House Landstuhl

from left: Ulrike, Evely, Willie and Regina

and friends will celebrate in the spring 2009 

the second German Dinner at the Fisher House Landstuhl

  

More is coming later...

from left: Sal and Rudi our chiefs of kitchen...

Soldiers' Angels living in Germany – a review

Soldiers' Angels in Germany – a review 

This year it will be five years that Willie and Rudi Aufmkolk, got involved with the Soldiers' Angels, an American non-profit organization that supports US soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan. 

In 2004 the demand for backpacks for the wounded warriors at Landstuhl Regional Medical Centre (LRMC) was huge and Willie and Rudi were very busy with that. They travelled regularly to Landstuhl delivering backpacks filled with fresh clothes, shoes, toiletries. During their visits they met Kathy Gregory, the Fisher House Manager there. Before long they planned their first cooking event for the families of wounded troopers at the Fisher House together and since it turned out to be great success with the guests more events followed soon. The idea behind these events was to introduce German specialties to the guests and with that show them how much the efforts and sacrifices of American Forces and their families are appreciated – around the globe. 

Thanksgiving 2006 Ulrike Wheeler, of Berlin, joined Willie and Rudi at the Fisher House in Landstuhl for a dinner, for the first time. Ulrike supports US soldiers downrange since late 2004, as well.

Since that Thanksgiving dinner Ulrike travels on a regular basis to LRMC with Willie and Rudi for more cooking events at the Fisher House.

In 2008 they were able to organize a cook-out in April and another one, an Oktoberfest, in the fall. Both times the house was packed with grateful guests and soldiers from the local outpatient centre. As one chaplain put it in October, events like these give the soldiers and their families the chance to get together like one big family, talk and laugh and forget their worries for the moment. It gives them a break from the daily routine in the hospital which is often times much needed and a relief. 

Since Willie Aufmkolk is not only a regular for cooking events in Landstuhl guards at the gate recognize her immediately when she pulls up in her car as the "Angel who's here again". Throughout the years Willie has also delivered greeting cards she receives from supporters in the United States for Easter or Christmas to the troops in the hospital and families at the Fisher House, like she did in 2008. This past Christmas greeting cards were also sent to the US Military-Hospital in Bagram, Afghanistan, to show some Angel support there as well. Famous are also Willie's neatly packed little "Welcome-to-Germany"-bags that contain German chocolate, little teddy bears and leaflets with information and pictures about Germany and a Soldiers' Angels coin or pin. 

More is planned in 2009, like the delivery of more greeting cards to the troops for Valentine's Day and another dinner in March. Willie and Rudi Aufmkolk and Ulrike Wheeler will continue their support for the wounded at LRMC and their families at the Fisher House, ideas for more they already have. 

Ulrike Wheeler

Berlin, Germany 

http://www.soldiersangels.org/

... until they all come home!

************************************

Here read more about our last events:

German Dinner at Fisher House Landstuhl

BBQ at Army Fisher House Landstuhl

Oktoberfest at Fisher House Landstuhl

Thanksgiving at Fisher House Landstuhl

Visits to Army Fisher House Landstuhl

 

Next Event - we are Valentine 2009 at Landstuhl again

and friends are Valentine at Landstuhl again!

Photos by Willie

05.01.2009 News and stories around "Soldiers' Angels"

Purple Heart organization aids veterans FayObserver.com - Fayetteville,NC,USA The Service Foundation contributes to many others, including the USO, Soldiers Angels, the Army National Museum and more. The Intrepid Museum grant, ... See all stories on this topic

Soldiers' Angels needs YOU! NewsBlaze - Folsom,CA,USA By Ros Prynn "Sure you might not be here on the front line, covered in filth, smelling like hell, your heart going a mile a minute, not knowing what's ...

Face of Defense: Mother, Daughter Enlist in Army Reserve

Face of Defense: Mother, Daughter Enlist in Army Reserve
Wed, 31 Dec 2008 09:08:00 -0600

Face of Defense: Mother, Daughter Enlist in Army Reserve By Al Laxamana Special to American Forces Press Service FRESNO, Calif., Dec. 31, 2008 - Like many high school seniors, Megan Schlotthauer wasn't sure what she wanted to do after graduation. Her grades weren't the best, and college is expensive. Megan Schlotthauer, left, and her mother, Lisa Altoon, enlisted together in the Army Reserve. U.S. Army photo by Al Laxamana (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. Searching for a purpose, the 17-year-old decided to explore her options in the Army Reserve. "I was looking at the community colleges, and thought I would go there," she said. "Then I was talking to some people I know who are in the Navy Reserve, and some friends who have been in the military, and I thought that's what I wanted to do." She presented the idea to her mother, Lisa Altoon, who wasn't receptive to the notion of her cheerleader daughter joining the Army. "I was dead set against it from the beginning," she said. Altoon, like many parents, was concerned about the possibility of Megan deploying to a combat zone. That is, until she met her daughter's recruiter, Army Sgt. 1st Class Jessica Dean of the Fremont, Calif., recruiting station. Dean proved to be a persuasive recruiter. After learning about the Army Reserve, Altoon, a postal carrier in Fremont, decided that she, too, would become a soldier. Until recently, someone her age with no prior service would have been too old to enlist. Since the Army increased its maximum age to 42 in 2006, however, the door was wide open for the 39-year-old. Mother and daughter enlisted in the same military occupational specialty -- computer information specialist -- and were assigned to the same unit, the 351st Civil Affairs Command in Mountain View, Calif. Though Altoon originally was skeptical about her daughter joining, she said being in the same Reserve unit has its advantages. "I'm a mom," she said. "This will give me a chance to protect her and keep an eye on her." Altoon began basic training at Fort Jackson, S.C., in October, followed by advanced individual training at Fort Gordon, Ga., to train as a computer specialist. Schlotthauer leaves for Fort Jackson in August. Both soldiers said they're aware they might be deployed in support of the global war on terrorism, but insist they'll be ready if that time comes. "Honestly, if I'm meant to go to Iraq, I'll go to Iraq," Schlotthauer said. Her mother, and now her fellow soldier, agreed. "If it's meant for me to go, then that's what's going to happen," Altoon said. (Al Laxamana serves in the Fresno Recruiting Battalion.)

Related Sites: U.S. Army Reserve

Blankets for Landstuhl

Theft of $8000 donation was blessing in disguise for mother of ... Stars and Stripes - Washington,DC,USA

By Steve Mraz, Stars and Stripes
European edition, Sunday, January 4, 2009

Last month’s theft of nearly $8,000 of donated items for wounded troops turned out to be a blessing in disguise for the mother of a fallen servicemember.

The improbable tale resulted only because of the unlikely combination of a soldier’s death in Afghanistan, a robbery in southern California and a blog run by an American living in Germany....

read the full story here:
http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=59782

A day in Baumholder

Program in Baumholder 2007

2007 Rheinland-Pfalz-Tag in Baumholder - The Major State Festival

Article from http://www.rlp-tag.de/index.php?menuid=142

All photos made by Willie

http://www.baumholder.army.mil/sites/local/RPLtagMusic.asp

Platz der Streitkräfte - US Army site at the station (1)

Traditionally, the US Army and US Airforce showcase themselves at Rheinland-Pfalz-Tag together with the German Army at the Platz der Streitkräfte.

U.S. armored personnel carrier

US Army and US Airforce showcase their equipment

U.S. Airborne equipement - U.S. parachute

Rudi is talking with a U.S. medic

U.S. ambulance vehicle

This year it is in the US garrison town of Baumholder and under the motto: "60 years of US forces in Rhineland-Palatinate – 60 years of German/US friendship". 

U.S.howitzer

Later we visited the German Army and the German medics

German ambulance vehicle here

German light scout vehicle

A presentation of the US Airforce from Ramstein and the 21st TSC from Kaiserslautern. 

German Vihicle with German patriot rockets

Rudi in the German Airforce tente and is talking with a mechanic

Later we visit the German Army Reserve!

Pictures from a great German/American Friendship between the Army Reserve Baumholder and the 90th U.S. Army

The 24th Rheinland-Pfalz-Tag will take place from June 29 to July 1, 2007 in Baumholder.

The garrison town of Baumholder in the German state of
Rhineland-Palatinate will play host to the 24th Rheinland-Pfalz-Tag in 2007. The
town of Baumholder will be supported in the organization of the festival by the
Baumholder local authorities association and Birkenfeld administrative district.
This major state festival is a symbol of the German/US friendship which should
be particularly valued within the scope of the 60-year existence of the state of
Rhineland-Palatinate. Activities and information will focus on this
topic....

Read more here: http://www.rlp-tag.de/

http://www.rlp-tag.de/?getlang=en&PHPSESSID=01a914cd55af64ac13bf3ec5383dc0e5

Face of Defense: Amputee Earns Commission Through Army ROTC

Face of Defense: Amputee Earns Commission Through Army ROTC
Mon, 29 Dec 2008 10:09:00 -0600

Face of Defense: Amputee Earns Commission Through Army ROTC By Paul Kotakis Special to American Forces Press Service FORT MONROE, Va., Dec. 29, 2008 - The blast of a roadside bomb in Iraq's Sunni Triangle resulted in the amputation of a portion of Richard Ingram's left arm, but it did not rob him of his dream of becoming an Army officer. Richard Ingram, right, takes the oath of office as a second lieutenant administered by Army 1st Lt. Robert Morris at North Georgia College and State University, Dec. 13, 2008. Photo by Kate Maine (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. Ingram's dream became a reality Dec. 13 when he graduated from North Georgia College and State University and became a second lieutenant. "I am extremely proud to have earned a commission through the Army ROTC program at North Georgia College, and I look forward to serving as an Army officer," Ingram said. "I didn't decide to do this just to get a slap on the back. I want to be an inspiration to others who were wounded." He is the first individual with such severe combat injuries suffered during the global war on terrorism to earn a commission through the Army ROTC program, military officials said. "I was honored to attend the ceremony at which this outstanding young man became an officer," Maj. Gen. Arthur M. Bartell, commanding general of U.S. Army Cadet Command, said. "He has already assembled a remarkable record of achievement, both as a combat veteran and as a ROTC cadet." The LaGrange, Ga., native was serving with the Georgia Army National Guard's 48th Brigade Combat Team as a cavalry scout in June 2005 when his tactical vehicle was struck by an explosive device and rolled several times. "I didn't think there was any way I was going to live through it when the truck started rolling," Ingram said. "But it was clear that I hadn't fulfilled my purpose in this life. Even though I was hurt, I knew I'd get to keep doing the things I love so much. I was being given another chance at life." Ingram recovered at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., where he received physical therapy and was fitted for a prosthetic device. "The care that I got at Walter Reed was great," Ingram said. "But after a while I knew that it was time to get back to North Georgia College and get on with my life and my education." He returned to classes at the school he had left when his National Guard unit was activated. Ingram also returned to the Army ROTC program, where he quickly showed that despite the wounds sustained in combat he was still in excellent physical condition. After successfully completing the Leadership Development and Assessment Course -- the Army ROTC training event conducted annually in Fort Lewis, Wash. -- it was clear that Ingram was capable of carrying out the demanding duties of an Army officer. "Lieutenant Ingram demonstrated throughout his time in ROTC that he was more than capable -- both physically and mentally -- to be a highly effective leader in our Army," Army Col. Michael Pyott, professor of military science at North Georgia College, said. "Once you spend time observing Richard, you forget that he has a physical disability," he continued. "He can run faster and do more physical training than most cadets. He will do an outstanding job leading troops in combat, and I know he will succeed in his goal to attend Airborne, Sapper and Ranger training." While a full-time student at North Georgia and an Army ROTC cadet, Ingram also served as an intern for U.S. Sen. John Douglas of Georgia, chairman of the Senate Veterans and Military Affairs Committee. "I was impressed with his determination and effort to rehabilitate himself," Douglas said. (Paul Kotakis works in the U.S. Army Cadet Command public affairs office.)

Biographies: Army Maj. Gen. Arthur M. Bartell Related Sites: U.S. Army Cadet Command

Soldiers' Angels living in Germany – a review

Soldiers' Angels in Germany – a review 

This year it will be five years that Willie and Rudi Aufmkolk, got involved with the Soldiers' Angels, an American non-profit organization that supports US soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan. 

In 2004 the demand for backpacks for the wounded warriors at Landstuhl Regional Medical Centre (LRMC) was huge and Willie and Rudi were very busy with that. They travelled regularly to Landstuhl delivering backpacks filled with fresh clothes, shoes, toiletries. During their visits they met Kathy Gregory, the Fisher House Manager there. Before long they planned their first cooking event for the families of wounded troopers at the Fisher House together and since it turned out to be great success with the guests more events followed soon. The idea behind these events was to introduce German specialties to the guests and with that show them how much the efforts and sacrifices of American Forces and their families are appreciated – around the globe. 

Thanksgiving 2006 Ulrike Wheeler, of Berlin, joined Willie and Rudi at the Fisher House in Landstuhl for a dinner, for the first time. Ulrike supports US soldiers downrange since late 2004, as well.

Since that Thanksgiving dinner Ulrike travels on a regular basis to LRMC with Willie and Rudi for more cooking events at the Fisher House.

In 2008 they were able to organize a cook-out in April and another one, an Oktoberfest, in the fall. Both times the house was packed with grateful guests and soldiers from the local outpatient centre. As one chaplain put it in October, events like these give the soldiers and their families the chance to get together like one big family, talk and laugh and forget their worries for the moment. It gives them a break from the daily routine in the hospital which is often times much needed and a relief. 

Since Willie Aufmkolk is not only a regular for cooking events in Landstuhl guards at the gate recognize her immediately when she pulls up in her car as the "Angel who's here again". Throughout the years Willie has also delivered greeting cards she receives from supporters in the United States for Easter or Christmas to the troops in the hospital and families at the Fisher House, like she did in 2008. This past Christmas greeting cards were also sent to the US Military-Hospital in Bagram, Afghanistan, to show some Angel support there as well. Famous are also Willie's neatly packed little "Welcome-to-Germany"-bags that contain German chocolate, little teddy bears and leaflets with information and pictures about Germany and a Soldiers' Angels coin or pin. 

More is planned in 2009, like the delivery of more greeting cards to the troops for Valentine's Day and another dinner in March. Willie and Rudi Aufmkolk and Ulrike Wheeler will continue their support for the wounded at LRMC and their families at the Fisher House, ideas for more they already have. 

Ulrike Wheeler

Berlin, Germany 

http://www.soldiersangels.org/
... until they all come home!

A review 2008

·         German Dinner at Fisher House Landstuhl

·         Oktoberfest at Fisher House Landstuhl

·         Christmas in Germany 

·         Easter at Landstuhl 

·         Welcome to Germany 

Bowling-Turnier 2008 - Bowling Team "Die Tenne"

All photos made by Willie

Bowling-Turnier 2008

Der Gewinner von 2007  Chris mit dem Wanderpokal

Bowling Team "Die Tenne" 

Rudi bereitet den Wettkampf vor...

Alle warten auf den Start!

Regina unsere Liebste!

Das Spiel hat begonnen!

Willie und Regina

Rudi übereicht Micha ein Geschenk!

Rudi und Micha, Sponsor und Besitzer der TENNE

Chris bekommt einen neuen Pokal

Rudi und Micha

Gewinner und Verlierer warten auf die Siegerehrung

4. Preis Clemens

Dieter 3. Preis

2. Preis Willie

1. Preis Les



Micha übergibt Les den Wanderpokal



Was für ein tolles Turnier

Rückblich 2007

Tenne - Wein und Pilsstube

Bahnstraße 33, 65779 Kelkheim (Taunus)

06195 72 42 99

Nikolaus Bowling 2008

Les, Dieter und Rudi

Nikolaus-Bowling-Team "Die Tenne" 

All photos made by Willie

Bea und Geli

Tenne - Wein und Pilsstube

Bahnstraße 33, 65779 Kelkheim (Taunus)
06195 72 42 99info@tenne-kelkheim.de

Hallo der Nikolaus ist da!

Rudi und Willie

Und für jeden hat er ein kleines Geschenk!



Und für jeden hatten wir eine Nikolaus Mütze



Dieter und Willie



Willie und Geli

Willie und Carsten

Julian und Willie

Willie und 

Willie und Clemens

Willie und Waltraud



Willie und Sal