USAG Wiesbaden — Wackernheim, Wiesbaden
New Auto Skills Center opens for business Story and photo by Wendy Brown
U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden Public Affairs Office
Spc. Alexander Eaton had his 12-year-old Audi 80 in mind as he attended the grand opening of the new Wiesbaden Automobile Skills Center. “It’s an older vehicle, and I’ll be in here a lot,” Eaton said. “I have to replace the antifreeze, and I have a half shaft that I have to fix. It’s close to the base, and it definitely seems nicer.” Eaton was one of about 100 people who attended the grand opening May 7 at the facility, which includes 10 vehicle bays, tool kits for each bay and a car wash ― to name a few of the highlights. In addition to a ribbon cutting ceremony, free food and a disc jockey, staff members led people on tours of the facility and explained some of the new equipment. “People love the Auto Skills Center, and they will love this one event more,” said Col. David Carstens, U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden commander, during his remarks before the ribbon cutting. Darrell Hendrix, a recreation aid who works at the Wiesbaden Automotive Skills Center, shows Soldiers a mas“It provides more capability in an area ter tool box during the center’s grand opening May 7. The center features 10 work bays, and the tool boxes are that is perhaps a little more convenient standard in all of them. for a lot of our Soldiers to get to here Lt. Col. Michelle Garcia, deputy commander of go through Erbenheim. The easiest way to find it is on the north side.” the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Europe District, to put Rennbahn Strasse 12, 65205 Erbenheim into The facility is also efficient in terms of heating, presented a construction plaque with a key to the gar- a GPS or Google Maps, Babcock said. so it will use less energy, Carstens said. In addition, rison. The corps has a tradition of providing a shovel The facility is located in Building 3500, and people it has measures that will ensure that hazardous waste at the groundbreaking and a key at grand openings, can call mil 337-6679 or civ (0611) 705 6679 for more is disposed of in the best way possible. she said. information. The facility is closed Mondays, but is The skills center is a sign of continuing transformaRichard Babcock, director of the skills center, said open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays; tion in Wiesbaden, Carstens said. The garrison also noon to 8 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays; and 10 a.m. that in addition to the bays, the new center includes plans to build ball fields on the north side. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. equipment to fix suspensions, alignments, brakes and Carstens presented Joe Cooper, an employee at For more information about services, people the center, with an Achievement Medal for Civilian air conditioners. There is also an underbody wash caService. Cooper has demonstrated excellence as an pability, and the lifts are better than at the old facility. can visit http://wiesbaden.armymwr.com/index.php/ auto skills instructor at the Mainz Kastel facility, The facility is located on the north side of the europe/wiesbaden/programs/wiesbaden-automotiveCarstens said. Clay Kaserne airfield, and to get there people must skills.
Wiesbaden High class of 2013 poised for success Story and photos by Lauren Barry Special to the Herald Union
This year’s graduating class at Wiesbaden High School has more than 100 students, and 90 percent will be going on to college. The class of 2013 also has the largest number of students that applied and were accepted for Reserve Officers’ Training Corps scholarships. "We had too many ROTC Air Force Scholarships that were offered but declined, so I think that's pretty impressive," said Linnea Velsvaag, guidence counselor for grades 10 and 12 at Wiesbaden High
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School. Rhianna The followHill and Andrew ing students Parker will be have received going into the Air three-year Force Academy Army ROTC after receiving scholarships: scholarships. Max Sarsok, Devin TisJames Killidale received a lea, Meghan four-year, fullSmith, Kaitride Air Force lyn Velsvaag, Scholarship to Kirsten VelsPurdue Univervaag and Miisty. “I'm feeling Kaitlyn Velsvaag (from left), Meghan Smith and Kirsten cah McGowen. pretty optimistic Velsvaag hold up “1-3” signs to represent the class of One student, because we have 2013 at Wiesbaden High School May 16. Cam Turner, grown up with opportunity,” said Tisdale. plans to join the the ROTC program here and The U.S. Presidential Scholars U.S. Army. I know partially about it. I'm Program also gave Tisdale a No students received sport really looking forward to the $10,000 scholarship. scholarships directly, but sev-
Herald Union
eral division three schools recruited students for athletics, and students plan to attend those schools and play sports. Student athletes include: Daniel Mattner for football, Wyatt Sill for football, Kaitlyn and Kirsten Velsvaag for volleyball, and Shantel Wynn for swimming. Velsaag said 60 percent of class members are entering four-year programs, and 30 percent are entering two-year programs. Perhaps best of all, as it stands now, the entire class will graduate together, Velsaag said. “Unless the seniors make very poor personal choices, everyone will be walking,” she said.
May 23, 2013......................................................................... www.wiesbaden.army.mil