German Air Force brings Oktoberfest fun to WTB

Lt. Col. Uwe H. Spindler, left, German Air Force Air Defense Center, and Dorthea Morgan-Richter, administrator at the Soldier Family Assistance Center, perform traditional German dances Sept. 14 at the free Oktoberfest for the Soldiers of the Warrior Transition Battalion here. The Schuhplattler group performed three dances: the Haushammer Dance, the Holzhacker Dance and the Watschenplattler Dance. Photo by Sgt. Ida Irby, 24th Press Camp Headquarters.

Sgt. Ida Irby,
24th Press Camp Headquarters:

The opportunity to attend a free, authentic Oktoberfest is not one afforded to many people in a lifetime; however, for the Soldiers at the Warrior Transition Battalion an Oktoberfest came to them Sept. 14, hosted by the German Air Force Air Defense Center.

The open foyer at the WTB provided room to service more than 350 wounded warriors and their families to unite and build strong ties with the community, lasting memories and life-long traditions.

First Sgt. Nancy Hernandez, a cadre member at the battalion’s B Company, said the festival was held to create a safe and comfortable atmosphere for the warriors in transition – as many Soldiers have profiles that limit their travel.

Stefan Krebentitscher, of the Bavarian group D’Waldbergler, performs with a whip-cracking team Sept. 14 at the free Oktoberfest held by the German Air Force Air Defense Center for the Soldiers of the Warrior Transition Battalion here. The Oktoberfest featured live music and Bavarian performers. Photo by Sgt. Ida Irby, 24th Press Camp Headquarters.

Once a year for one month, many people in the world celebrate Oktoberfest to build unity in their communities. Oktoberfest started in 1810 when the Bavarian Crown Prince Ludwig wed the Saxon-Hildburghausen Princess Thereseis and began a traditional German folk festival. A traditionally themed Oktoberfest has rides, German foods, regional alcoholic beverages and Oktoberfest collectables.

The open festival here included two large bouncing houses, face painting, regional folk dances, authentic Bavarian performances, a live German brass band and free bratwurst in a Brochen bread roll. A raffle drawing awarded wounded warriors with gift cards and tickets to the weekend Oktoberfest here.

Sgt. 1st Class Daniel L. Beaty, a combat engineer working as a cadre member for B Co., said it was great to see the foreign servicemembers show support for the troops in the Fort Bliss community because the warriors in transition have sacrificed a lot for their country. Beaty has worked with the WTB for more than two years and continues to support the Soldiers’ transition into the community as veterans or transition back into the fight. Like many U.S. Soldiers, Beaty has traveled abroad to Germany, and his connection to the German culture comes from traveling in Europe and attending a traditional Oktoberfest.

Staff Sgt. Jose Frausto, a cadre member with B Company, Warrior Transition Battalion, watches in anticipation as two volunteers with the German Air Force Air Defense Center prepare bratwurst on a grill during a free Oktoberfest Sept. 14 at the unit’s area of operations here. Frausto also listened to a live brass band and watched authentic Bavarian performers. Photo by Sgt. Ida Irby, 24th Press Camp Headquarters.

The D’Waldbergler performed a traditional dance called the Goasslschnoizen, or whip-cracking. The unique Bavarian team is from Rosshaupten, Bavaria, whose title translates in English: D’ forest mountain people. Today the Goasslschnoizen perform concerts with bands that include conventional musical instruments. The whips create a striking sound pattern that is an authentic Bavarian treat. The art of cracking whips derives from cattle herding among the Germanic people of Bavaria, and today it is practiced as sport or artistic performance.

The WTB cadre pointed out the familiar face of Dorthea Morgan, a staff member of the Soldier Family Assistance Center at the WTB, during a traditional German toe-slapping dance with the Schuhplattler group. Dorthea and her husband Staff Sgt. Mathew M. Morgan, a petroleum supply noncommissioned officer with 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, helped perform the themed dances: Haushammer Dance (Hammer House), Holzhacker Dance (Wood Chopper) and Watschenplattler Dance (Face Slapper).  Mathew and his wife Morgan are beginners to the Schuhplattler dancing and joined the group to honor Morgan’s German heritage.

“Oktoberfest provides the opportunity for a fun family event and lifts morale,” said Morgan. “The event gives the wounded warriors the chance to experience a part of the German culture and to familiarize them with the German Air Force at Fort Bliss.”

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