Bundeswehr partnership unit bids farewell in Herrieden

By Ms. Bianca Sowders (IMCOM)June 16, 2014

Stadtsoldaten
1 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Stadsoldaten and music lead the way
2 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Bundeswehr Ellwangen marches in
3 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
U.S. Army Soldiers join the deactivation ceremony
4 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
The mayor's speech
5 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
A musical interlude
6 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Attention!
7 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
The partnership has come to an end
8 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

For 35 years the Bundeswehr units stationed in Ellwangen fostered a lively and active partnership with the city of Herrieden. Herrieden has also been the partner city of the U.S. Army in Ansbach for 25 years. Both anniversaries were celebrated together during a festive ceremony in Herrieden in September 2013.

In the course of an extensive restructuring process of the German army, the decision was made to close the Reinhardt Kaserne in Ellwangen, which was home of the driver's education center KAZ Ellwangen, the last Bundeswehr partner unit of Herrieden.

During the official ceremony at Herrieden's Vogteiplatz on June 4, 2014, the commander of all Bundeswehr driver's education centers in Germany, Lt. Col. Burkhard Strecker, conducted the official orders for deactivation. In their remarks Strecker, Capt. Roland Glatz, the last commander of the Kraftfahrausbildungszentrum Ellwangen, and the mayor of Herrieden, Alfons Brandl, reminisced about the long-existing friendship and the events attended together. A detachment of Soldiers representing USAG Ansbach and the 12th Combat Aviation Battalion joined the formation, standing proudly by the side of their German colleagues.

After the official military part, the invited guests proceeded to the church annex to witness the official dissolving of the partnership. Documents were signed by the Herrieden mayor and Capt. Roland Glatz, the last commander of the Kraftfahrausbildungszentrum Ellwangen, followed by an exchange of mementos and promises of a continuing friendship.