Hometown crowd roots for U.S.A.

  • Published
  • By Christine June
  • U.S. Army Garrison Kaiserslautern Public Affairs
KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany (AFPN) --  More than 3,000 soccer fans of all ages rooted for U.S.A. by bringing hometown America to Pulaski Park, just a short drive from the stadium where their team tied Italy, 1-1, in a 2006 FIFA World Cup match June 17.

They did it with an 11-hour World Cup Fest at the park on Pulaski Barracks. The family-friendly event was the answer to the late-night activities happening 15 minutes away in Kaiserslautern. 

"We combined a little bit of hometown America, like your county fair, with the international event of the World Cup," said Lt. Col. Erik Daiga, U.S. Army Garrison Kaiserslautern commander. 

Like a county fair, there were numerous food booths and concerts. Children had myriad choices to run off energy. This all led up to the big game broadcast in English on a 400-square-foot jumbo-tron screen, provided by the British ITV Sports. 

There are about 50,000 Americans stationed at bases throughout the Kaiserslautern Military Community, making it the largest U.S. military community outside of the United States. 

"It's so amazing that there are so many Americans here. It's such a large American city in the middle of Germany," said Greg Proops, comedian and actor, who was here with Drew Carey. "It's as close to a home game as they (U.S. soccer team) are going to get in this World Cup." 

Mr. Carey was here covering the U.S. soccer team for a show on the Travel Channel. Wearing his trademark "Buddy Holly" glasses, he stopped by the fest to sign autographs, take photos and talk to fans. He also participated in a game of "human foosball" and a bit of jousting with Mr. Proops and Staff Sgt. Clayton Noble from the 723rd Air Mobility Squadron on Ramstein Air Base. 

"It's been great. They're happy to see me,"  said Mr. Carey, a Marine Corps veteran, about meeting people at the fest. "They want a picture and autograph. It's easy to do. The easiest thing I do all day is signing autographs for somebody or smile for a second to (let someone) take a picture." 

The fest was sponsored by the 431st Air Base Group and Garrison Kaiserslautern.
 
"One of the (reasons) of this fest was to celebrate the community we have here on Vogelweh and Pulaski Barracks -- a very unique part of the KMC," said Col. Jack Briggs, 38th Combat Support Wing vice commander. "You have a large Air Force and Army contingent here, and we work together."