Wiesbaden military community members enjoy a fun-filled, action-packed July 4th celebration

By Karl Weisel (USAG Wiesbaden)July 8, 2010

Wiesbaden military community members enjoy a fun-filled, action-packed July 4th celebration
1 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Wiesbaden military community members enjoy a fun-filled, action-packed July 4th celebration
2 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Wiesbaden military community members enjoy a fun-filled, action-packed July 4th celebration
3 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Wiesbaden military community members enjoy a fun-filled, action-packed July 4th celebration
4 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Wiesbaden military community members enjoy a fun-filled, action-packed July 4th celebration
5 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Wiesbaden military community members enjoy a fun-filled, action-packed July 4th celebration
6 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Wiesbaden military community members enjoy a fun-filled, action-packed July 4th celebration
7 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Wiesbaden military community members enjoy a fun-filled, action-packed July 4th celebration
8 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

WIESBADEN, Germany - After a day spent enjoying music, traditional eats, amusements and boxing, Wiesbaden community members settled down to enjoy a fireworks display marking the 234th birthday of the United States of America. The annual bash, held on Wiesbaden Army Airfield, concluded with the colorful pyrotechnics.

This year's U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden Independence Day Celebration kicked off with Samantha Haider singing "The Star Bangled Banner."

She was followed by the garrison's commander, Col. Jeffrey Dill, recognizing the winners of the Commander's Sports Week Challenge. More than 30 teams competed this year, with the 557th Medical Company claiming the overall trophy. Members of the 557th also took first-place honors in the obstacle course and 10-kilometer run.

Other first-place winners were Company D, 52nd Aviation, in the 1,000-Pound Club; 102nd Signal Battalion in one-pitch softball; USAG Wiesbaden in three-on-three volleyball; and 2nd Military Intelligence Battalion in three-on-three basketball.

During the awards ceremony the commander also recognized several individuals for their ongoing support and the garrison's Family, Morale, Welfare and Recreation Marketing and Special Events teams for their outstanding services during the 12 Days of Christmas event in December 2009.

In addition to the rocking sounds of the Timmy Rough Band featuring songs by everyone from Lynyrd Skynyrd to the Eagles, visitors to this year's July Fourth event were also treated to four explosive bouts in the boxing ring set up in one of the airfield hangars.

The fights opened with a hard-charging fight between Heidelberg's Jennifer Meadows and Wiesbaden's Megan Finkhousen. Midway through the third round the ring referee stopped the contest awarding the win to Finkhousen, a sergeant with the 557th Medical Company.

"I was nervous going into the fight. She's good," said Finkhousen, who said it was her first fight. "I tried to jab as much as possible."

Heidelberg fighters claimed the next two bouts over boxers from Wiesbaden and Bamberg, and the event's final bout saw a Kaiserslautern fighter claim a hard-fought decision over Wiesbaden's Money Powell.

Finkhousen was awarded the championship belt for the event's best overall performance in the ring.

Young and old found plenty to do during the day-long celebration with pony rides, bumper cars, an airbrush T-shirt booth, face painting, Segway rides, a dunking booth and a host of other entertainment available on the site.

Related Links:

Herald Union Online