FORT GORDON, Ga. (Oct. 10, 2014) The Fort Gordon Oktoberfest, held Oct. 2 to 5, may not be as large as the one held in Munich, nevertheless, fun activities, food and music were readily available.
A wide assortment of carnival rides entertained visitors during the four-day festival which officially kicked off after Col. Samuel G. Anderson, the garrison commander, tapped the keg and toasted the fest. Then many drank some free beer until the keg ran dry.
Meanwhile, the 434th U.S. Army Signal Corps Band played a variety of German songs to entertain the masses.
There were also several competitions throughout the weekend.
Command Sgt. Maj. Robert A. Daniel Jr., the installation Regimental Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Command Sgt. Maj. Bobby Williams, 15th Regimental Signal Brigade command sergeant major, and Sgt. Maj. Kimberly Brooks were left to make some difficult choices during the Oct. 3 drill and ceremony competition. Ultimately, E Company, 369th Signal Battalion took the first place trophy and the new streamer for their company guidon back to the barracks.
Emily, 5, and Ethan Statkowski, 3, dance to authentic German music during Fort Gordon's Oktoberfest Saturday at Barton Field. Bonnie Heater / Fort Gordon Public Affairs Office During the Team 15 Talent Show, Oct. 3, a number of talented Advanced Individual Training Soldiers sang, recited poetry, and danced. Pvt. Michael Langevin, (also known by his show name, 'Michael J. Snow'), Pfc. Taylor Dunning, and Pvt. Nick Stovall, won first place in the group performance category with the song, "I've Been Gone."
Langevin wrote the music, and he, Dunning and Pfc. Brandon Mearns wrote the lyrics. They represented C Company, 551st Signal Battalion.
Also, among the first place winners were Pvt. Jean Adam, who danced to "War is Absolutely Worthless." He represented A Company, 369th Signal Battalion; and Pvt. Brandon Rishwain, representing C Company, 551st Signal Battalion, sang "A Change is Going to Come."
"We love the Oktoberfest," Said Spc. Desiree Holmes and Pfc. Taylor Gigeous, E Company, 369th Signal Battalion. "It was what we needed -- some fun. It gives us motivation."
Holmes won second place for her poem, "How It Starts."
The German Friendship Dancers of Augusta, who have been performing together for 20 years, performed in colorful Bavarian costume.
Lt. Col. Frank Beyer, German Liaison Officer with the U.S. Army Cyber Center of Excellence and Fort Gordon, surprised everyone with a short slide show of the "Origin and History of the German Oktoberfest." He explained how the United States saved Germany twice.
"The United States rescued us from the control of the Nazis during World War II and again, October 3, 1989, when President Ronald Reagan helped bring the Berlin Wall down and united Germany," he said, before he asked everyone to stand for the playing of the German and the American national anthems.
Signal Corps Captains Career Course German soldiers, assisted Beyer in describing the annual event, which takes place in Munich.
During the 2? week event, 12,000 employees serve up 7.5 million liters of German beer. Then Beyer invited everyone to enjoy some real German beer, which he purchased directly from Germany, and had sent to Fort Gordon.
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