IAW the expected typical “Bavarian weather“– blue skies, white clouds – the participation in this year’s Plärrer Fair Parade could be organized for the 15^th time. The center of attention was the deployment of a 40-headed 66^th Military Intelligence Brigade delegation from Wiesbaden under LTC Weber, deputizing for brigadier commander COL Holden who was unable to attend.

A welcome completion of the American delegation was Public Affairs Officer Stephen F. Ibelli, who arrived, all casual civilian, from the Munich Consulate and attended the parade in an impressive American old-timer limousine. The historical vehicles were provided by Amerika in Augsburg e.V. (AiA), the American Car Friends Augsburg e.V. (ACFA) and a private reenactor.

Welcome was the attendance of 21 Bundeswehr reservists under Dr. Wolfgang Bockhold of the Bund Deutscher Fallschirmjäger e.V.. As every year, the crowd gave a big hand for the American guests, due to the many memories of Augsburg’s U.S. era. After the conclusion of the parade, everybody met in the Bierzelt, where grilled chicken and a Maß (Liter) beer strengthened the military fitness of the participants.

Great remembrance photos in the town hall‘s’ Goldener Saal (top) and at the Herkulesbrunnen in the Maximilianstraße. Here with the Bundeswehr reservists and Consul Ibelli (casual).

 

 

Lord Mayor Dr. Kurt Gribl is welcoming the American guests in front of the ‘Hotel Drei Mohren‘. He is, for many years, confirming by such a photo the long cherished remembrance culture of the American forces, who always like to come to Augsburg.

 

 

A few more minutes to go. Left photo: Amerika in Augsburg e. V.’s Georg Feuerer, coordinator of the German-American cooperation. On the right OTL (LTC) d. R. Wolfgang Bockhold, on the left Lt d. R. Dirk Hammerstädt. Right photo: The Color Guard on the ready to march U.S. delegation. Besides both National flags, the unit colors of the 66^th Military Intelligence Brigade are flown.

 

 

                                                     Above: Parade route street sceneries.

 

 

                                      The military history element of Amerika in Augsburg e. V.

  

                         Consul Ibelli in a 1966 Cadillac de Ville Convertible of the ACFA society.

 

 

Parade organizer Andreas Schlachta is receiving the U.S. delegation in front of the VIP stage at the entrance of the Plärrer Fair ground.

 

 

    Active as well as retired MI members are waiting for their refreshing Maß beer in the “Schallerzelt”.