WIESBADEN, Germany -- On the evening of March 24, 1945, Soldiers from the 87th Infantry Division of General George S. Patton's Third U.S. Army began crossing the Rhine River at Boppard, Germany, through heavy smoke and enemy fire as part of their push forward from France into western Germany during World War II. Eighty years later, the German school that stands next to the crossing site marked the occasion by inviting a U.S. Army Soldier to be their guest and speak to the students.
Staff Sgt. Ethen O’Dell, with the U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden Military Police, spoke about living as an American in Germany and the role of U.S. Army in Europe to a group of 80 upper-level high school students on March 26, at the Kant-Gymnasium in Boppard, Germany.
"I joined the Army because it offers great opportunities for personal growth and professional development. It has taught me to be a resilient and well-trained Soldier. And as a side benefit, I had the opportunity to work in different countries around the world,” O’Dell said.
After giving students an overview of U.S. Army in Europe and Africa, and insights on the structure of the Garrison Wiesbaden, he talked about his personal experiences of serving in Iraq and Bahrain, about his daily routines as a Military Police Soldier in the Garrison Wiesbaden, and about the cultural differences he faced when moving to Germany. A few differences he highlighted included German cuisine, driving on the autobahn, or the public transportation system – each aspect reflects the unique character of life in Germany.
Before O’Dell spoke, Dr. Alexander Ritter, a history teacher at Kant-Gymnasium, gave a brief history of the area during the war and of the U.S. Army's crossing of the Rhine River near the school.
"It is important to make the students aware of the past and give them a sense of what happened in this area 80 years ago. The peace and freedom of today were not achieved without sacrifice," Ritter said.
After O’Dell's presentation the students and faculty went down to the river and stood next to a small marker indicating where the river crossing had taken place 80 years ago, then they placed a flower bouquet and released peace doves into the air.
Ritter emphasized that this visit by an American Soldier is another strong signal of the friendship and solidarity between America and Germany.
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