Army Europe's Chief of Staff pays special visit to elementary school

By Sgt. Daniel Cole, U.S. Army Europe, Public AffairsApril 22, 2015

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WIESBADEN, Germany -- German Army Brig. Gen. Markus Laubenthal, Army Europe's chief of staff, explains the German words for making butter and gathering ingredients during a special trip to Hainerberg Elementary School here, April 21, to read the youn... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

WIESBADEN, Germany (April 21, 2015) -- German Army Brig. Gen. Markus Laubenthal, Army Europe's chief of staff, made a special trip to Hainerberg Elementary School here, April 21, to read the young students "Das Pfannkuchenbuch" (the pancakes book).

"I am pretty excited to do this," Laubenthal said. "This is my first time speaking in front of our youngest generation and I am probably more nervous than they are."

The general's visit was an active effort to show more support in the military community since taking on the role as the first German chief of staff for Army Europe.

"I think I need to show my presence in the community as well," he stated. "Reading at the Heinerberg Elementary School is a great opportunity to do that."

The classroom walls were covered with student's artwork and best assignments as they sat quietly listening to Laubenthal's instructions on how to make the golden-yellow cakes.

"Das Pfannkuchenbuch" is the German translation of the America children's book "Pancakes, Pancakes!" Each student had an opportunity to practice their German and translate the reading into English.

The general made sure to articulate each word in his native tongue so the kids could work on their listening and pronunciation skills.

"They can hear from a native the different pronunciations," Laubenthal said. "These first-graders are just starting to learn another language and I hope I can demonstrate how to do this and how to pronounce the words while educating them with a little bit of German culture and German history."

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