SCHWEINFURT, Germany -- The long road from Mannheim, Germany, to Schweinfurt just got a little bit shorter for 96 Soldiers and family members from the 44th Expeditionary Signal Battalion who visited the community that they will soon call home April 22.
"My first impression is kind of, like, family embracing us," said 1st Lt. James Hill, the officer in charge of the advance party, the group of Soldiers moved to Schweinfurt ahead of the rest of the battalion.
"I walk into all the agencies, and I tell them I'm with the 44th, and they already know what to do," said Hill, who has been in Schweinfurt for about a month. "I've noticed how friendly people here are on- and off-post."
The U.S. Army Garrison Schweinfurt hosted the group to let them see and touch the city and installations that have been preparing for their arrival since the U.S. Army Europe announced the move in August 2008.
"Taking care of Soldiers and family members is what we do. And we're pretty good at it," said Lt Col. Anthony Haager, USAG Schweinfurt commander.
Incoming Soldiers are not nearly as concerned about infrastructure and building improvements or what has been done in the past, Haager said.
"They only see 'What are we doing for you today,'" said Haager, who welcomed the group with a 30-minute briefing and photo-packed presentation.
"It's the people. People make the place," he said. "It's the attitude."
Soldiers, spouses, children and baby buggies packed up for a whirlwind guided bus tour of the major Schweinfurt installations and housing areas, before heading downtown for a look at many of Schweinfurt's sights and attractions.
For some Soldiers, the move is simply another "mission."
"You look at it like a deployment. You know, pack up your stuff and go elsewhere," said 1st Lt. Mike Marrinan, executive officer for Company B, 44th ESB.
Still, most are heading into the experience with an open mind, he said.
"You never know what it's like until you get there," Marrinan said.
The battalion is expected to be in Schweinfurt sometime in the summer.
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