Oktoberfest celebration begins today at Fort Bliss

EL PASO -- Thirty-seven years ago, German airmen who had traveled thousands of miles from home for training at Fort Bliss decided to surround themselves with a little of their homeland's culture.

It was the German Air Force's first Fort Bliss Oktoberfest and it has been held every year since. This year's three-day celebration begins today. However, in recent years, it was not clear whether the tradition would survive.

The German Air Force's future at Fort Bliss was uncertain after U.S. officials decided to move the nation's Air Defense Artillery School and Center to Fort Sill. A former German commander said it was possible his air defenders would not be able to accomplish their missions after the change was made.

Earlier this year, the U.S. air defense center officially moved. But at this point, German military officials in the United States are not aware of any plans to move from Fort Bliss, said Command Sgt. Maj. Ingo Schmidt, the highest ranking non-commissioned officer in the German Air Force Command, United States and Canada.

A small complement will rotate to Fort Sill, but the rest, about 200 airmen, will remain, Schmidt said.

"We hope to celebrate many, many more Oktoberfests here on Fort Bliss, he said.

The tradition continues today.

"You dance. You drink. You just have fun," Schmidt said.

Although the celebration originally included only German airmen, it quickly was adopted by the El Paso community, Schmidt said.

The event has become so popular, that the German airmen are pressed into service serving beer and food. That's why attendance is limited to about 1,200 today and Saturday, Schmidt said. About half the airmen work on the first day while the others are free to celebrate. On the second day the roles are reversed.
On Sunday, the general public is invited for a more family-oriented celebration, he said, and all the airmen will be put to work.

"It's a thank you for the communities of Fort Bliss and El Paso," Schmidt said.

What began nearly 200 years ago as a celebration of royal marriage in southern Germany transformed into a livestock show and has since been distilled to music, dancing and drinking -- a celebration of life. Germans, who have a tradition of brewing beer, make a special dark brew for the occasion, which is flown in, Schmidt said.

The unit also brings from Germany what U.S. residents know as an "oompah" band to play the traditional music.

"We try to get as close as we can" to the celebrations held in Germany, Schmidt said. "It's coming from tradition. It's a piece of home."

But there also is a more serious purpose to the celebration, Schmidt said. It is an opportunity for charities operated by the German airmen and their family members to secure contributions. The Oktoberfest events -- there also is a race -- provide the main source of money for the charities, which operate year round, said Franz Huber, treasurer for Aid For the Needy, one of the charities.

Some of the money goes to the Morale, Welfare and Recreation department at Fort Bliss, which benefits all the post's soldiers, Huber said. Other money is used to support projects in Mexico and the United States. That includes helping Tarahumara Indians in the Mexico's Copper Canyon area and people living in the El Paso area's colonias, he said.

Oktoberfest fundraising includes a raffle and a cake sale, said Schmidt.

It appears there will be more Oktoberfests at Fort Bliss, but not for Schmidt.

"This is my ninth and my last," said Schmidt, who has served two tours here. When he finishes this tour, he will return to Germany where he plans to retire.

>>>http://www.elpasotimes.com/military/ci_13360073

Been There!!

I recall back in the late 60’s every Tuesday the German Air Force landed a Boeing 707 at ELP International Airport. This 707 was in the configuration of half passenger and half cargo. Much of the cargo was pallets of real German beer and sausages to supply the German Beer Garden on post. We all had several German friends in hopes of being invited to their little bit of Germany in El Paso. Those were indeed the good ole days.

I bet!!! Just a little before my time though.