WIESBADEN, Germany - Many have wandered through the streets and squares of Wiesbaden without ever considering the important role the city plays in managing the affairs of the state of Hessen.
Officers and senior enlisted leaders of U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden took a few hours for professional development and an inside look at the history and workings of Hessen's Landtag (parliament) Feb. 10.
"We want to welcome you as citizens in our community," said Landtag Director Peter von Unruh, explaining that Hessen's Parliament includes 110 members who are elected to serve for five years.
In addition to picking up facts about how the government functions, visitors learned that Wiesbaden's Marktkirche is the city?'s tallest building, the old city hall (across from parliament) is the city's oldest building built in 1610 and the Landtag gets an average of 50,000 visitors a year.
"It was educational -- an eye-opening experience to see how democracy works in another country," said Capt. Jennifer Glover, USAG Wiesbaden's Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment commander. "It was interesting to learn how the citizens bring up issues and how they are handled in Germany."
As guests in Hessen while serving with the U.S. military overseas, many of those on the tour were familiar with Wiesbaden's City Hall and other landmarks, but most had never been inside the historic City Palace and the new Plenary Chamber which began serving Hessen's parliament in 2008.
Learning about its role through turbulent transitions in Europe -- as a second home to German emperors, a ducal residence for the Duchy of Nassau, a revolutionary gathering place and as a temporary home for the U.S. military immediately after World War II -- Glover said it made her more appreciative of the chance to learn more about German history.
For Capt. Jason Hinds, USAG Wiesbaden's executive officer, the tour provided the chance to "see the juxtaposition of the old versus the new which embodies many things about Germany." The contrast of the regal palatial furnishings with the extremely modern Landtag offices helped capture the German experience, he said, both existing side-by-side in the present.
"I think this is important for us so that we can better understand the German government," Hinds said. "I thought the Landtag members were exceptional hosts and did a great job of making us feel welcome."
As the tourgoers were informed how the members of the various parties in Hessen's parliament work together, the contrast between the powers of the states in Germany compared to the United States as far as collecting tax revenues and the history of modern Hessen's formation in the aftermath of World War II (with Proclamation No. 2 on Dec. 1, 1946), those on the tour said they better appreciate their temporary home in Germany.
"I know we look at the national level of government (for support), but I think the state and local levels have more to do with your quality of life," while serving here, Hinds said.
"It definitely highlights the importance of partnership with your host nation," said Glover. "All in all it made me want to do more -- to get more involved in the land where I live."
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