WIESBADEN, Germany – U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden celebrated the 57th birthday of Army Community Service on Lower Hainerberg in Wiesbaden, July 22.
“The main goal of ACS is to maintain community readiness and resiliency through our wide range of proactive educational opportunities”, said Mitchell L. Jones, USAG Wiesbaden’s Deputy Garrison Commander, before cutting the birthday cake with a sword.
ACS was founded July 25, 1965, when General Harold Johnson, Army chief of staff, dispatched a letter to all commanders announcing the approval and establishment of ACS. Today, ACS is a part of the Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation (FMWR) department of the U.S. Army Installation Management Command and works as a one-stop-shop for all social service needs. ACS can often help minimize the stresses of the Soldier as they seek and utilize various assistance programs.
There are many programs available through ACS designed to help Soldiers and their Families, ranging from financial and employment readiness to volunteer opportunities and Survivor Outreach Services.
“ACS is an organization that takes care of the total Family,” said Federica LeMauk, the acting chief of Army Community Service. “A Solider or Family member could have their needs met without going outside of the installation.”
ACS's birthday block party was for celebrating and for fun — with activities such as an inflatable obstacle course, shooting hoops, corn hole, or taking a turn at the dunk tank. As temperatures soared higher than 85 F under bright, blue sunny skies, few passed up the opportunity to get dunked. Neither the Garrison Commander Col. David Mayfield nor Command Sergeant Major Richard Russell could escape without a chance to get wet while seated on the dunk tank's ‘hot seat.’
Of course, no party is complete without food — provided by the USO, Child and Youth Services and MWR. After all the games and trips to the dunk tank, there were plenty of hot dogs, chips, lemonade, cotton candy, popsicles and a large birthday cake on hand to refuel the masses for more celebration and fun.
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