Luncheon honors Wounded Warriors, Army Birthday

By Dijon Rolle, USAG Kaiserslautern Public Affairs OfficeJune 20, 2013

Luncheon honors wounded warriors, Army birthday
A member of a German Army Reserve unit hands Pfc. Linda Castillo a bowl of cabbage salad during the "Thank you Wounded Warriors" luncheon at the USO Warrior Center June 14 on Wilson Barracks in Landstuhl, Germany. Members of U.S. Army Garrison Kaiser... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

WILSON BARRACKS -Members of the garrison's Directorate of Emergency Services hosted a "Thank you Wounded Warriors" luncheon at the USO Warrior Center June 14 here.

The free event was held to honor the ongoing sacrifices of U.S. military members serving around the world and to also mark another special occasion.

"We're celebrating number one the Army's 238th birthday and our wounded warriors today. We want to give them something back for everything that they do for us every day. It's a day for us to say thank you," said Hans Zoske, DES Fire Department Kaiserslautern.

This is Zoske's fourth time hosting this type of event for service members at the USO and this one was the largest he's ever done. The 20-year fire department veteran spent months organizing every detail down to the chocolate and vanilla cupcakes guests munched on to celebrate the Army's birthday.

"I started off cooking some pizzas for the Soldiers and it just grew on me. I met the right people at the right place and we were able to work together to do even more for the service members. It keeps getting larger and larger," he said.

Lines of service members, families and community members stood in line to pile their plates high with Goulash and noodles, assorted salads and German pastries prepared by members of a German Army Reserve unit. Guests were also received goodie bags, t-shirts and other prizes.

"It's pretty nice. I've only been here 2 days but they've really been great, especially everyone at the USO. This event is another bonus," said Sgt. 1st Class Edgar Cervandes.

Cervandes is stationed at Fort Stewart, Georgia with the 3rd Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment.

"Especially being overseas, it's nice to be here with others to celebrate holidays and special occasions like the Army birthday. We appreciate it," he said.

Dawn Rysavy manages the center.

"I think events like these make a great difference," Rysavy said. "When service members come here they are looking for a home away from home. I don't think they realize how much the local community thinks of them. We are so honored to have them here and doing what they are doing for the country. That speaks for itself."

The event also featured music from the U.S. Air Force Band, a Army cake cutting ceremony lead by members of the 21st Theater Support Command Sabre Drill and Ceremony Team and an autograph signing from Ms. Rheinland-Pfalz 2013 Sabine Graf.

Zoske plans to host another event in the near future.