Committee discusses Baumholder plans, photo displays and veteran outreach; notes Oct. 29 international meeting

The advisory board received updates related to Baumholder, Germany, including a request from Baumholder for photos, discussion of local displays, and ideas for greater veteran engagement with the sister-city program.

Chairman Giebert read an extract of an email from Baumholder indicating plans for a large celebration tied to U.S. anniversaries and the long‑term stationing of U.S. forces; members said they would send Baumholder copies or links to local photos. “If you have a picture hanging anywhere, you could let me know, because I will take responsibility for addressing this subject,” Giebert said, and volunteers offered to locate and frame images held in private offices and collections.

Members also raised recurring interest in engaging U.S. veterans who were stationed at Baumholder. The board discussed contacting local veterans’ groups and reserve units and noted the challenge that many service members serve short rotations and turn over frequently. One member said the Vietnam Veterans of America and local honor flight participants recalled their time at Baumholder and that targeted outreach by email or through veterans organizations could help identify interested participants.

The committee confirmed an upcoming online meeting with Baumholder representatives scheduled for Oct. 29 (the meeting platform was later clarified to be Microsoft Teams, with a possible switch to Webex so participants without Teams accounts could join). Committee staff agreed to send an updated meeting link to members.