Zombies invade Hohenfels

By Mark Iacampo, U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria-HohenfelsOctober 3, 2014

Creating a zombie
1 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Beware of Zombies
2 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Even zombies need hugs.
3 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Zombie Fun Run
4 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Zombie's invade
5 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

HOHENFELS, Germany -- To an onlooker, it may have seemed like a nightmare come true with people fleeing down the street while blood-drenched figures sporting gaping wounds and rotting flesh shambled after them, but in reality it was part of Hohenfels' unique initiative to promote National Preparedness month.

"If you're prepared for the zombie apocalypse, you're prepared for anything," said Lara Clagett, Mobilization and Deployment program manager.

Several participants in the 5k "Zombie Fun Run" were also dressed as zombies, but that didn't shield them from the attacks of the "marauding undead" as zombies plodded along the path grasping for the runners.

The zombies were all students of Hohenfels Middle/High School led by drama teacher Barbara Nicklin.

"This actually started last year as a way to interest the kids in stage makeup," said Nicklin. "We don't have access to all the specialized makeup stuff they recommend on the Internet, so our focus was on creating these effects - burns, wounds - with only materials you can find in Hohenfels."

Some of the effects were spectacularly gruesome with one student's vertebrae exposed from a gashed throat and another with an electric saw blade embedded in his skull.

"The 'Walking Dead' is pretty popular right now, and people are excited about zombies," Clagett explained, referencing the popular television show. "I had seen that the Center for Disease Control had done a 'Zombie Apocalypse' Web campaign and people really gravitated toward it and got excited about it. I thought, well, we've never had the zombie apocalypse in Germany, so why not bring zombies to Hohenfels to raise awareness and provide an opportunity for our Soldiers and family members to think about being prepared."

Participants also received a laminated "License to Hunt Zombies" card which included a list of websites offering tips and suggestions for emergency preparedness.

"We thought that was more fun than just giving people a bunch of handouts," Clagett said.

The students were part of the entire National Preparedness Month promotion, appearing in posters and AFN commercials throughout the month.

"I'm so excited," declared student Chloe Whitty. "It's fun to get all zombied up!"

Related Links:

More Bavarian News

USAG Bavaria Facebook

USAG Bavaria Flickr

USAG Bavaria website

More Zombie photos

USAG Bavaria Rebelmouse