Soldiers of the 4th Infantry Division Mission Command Element pick up litter while volunteering for the annual city of Baumholder Clean Up Day March 12, 2016. Fourteen Soldiers from volunteered for the cleanup. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Diandra J. Harrell)
By Staff Sgt. Diandra J. Harrell
4th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office
BAUMHOLDER, Germany — Members of the 4th Infantry Division Mission Command Element (MCE) didn’t shy away from doing the dirty work to help clean up the Baumholder community.
Fourteen 4th Inf. Div. MCE Soldiers volunteered their morning March 12, 2016, to participate in the city of Baumholder’s official cleanup day.
“Baumholder cleanup day is an annual volunteer event that has been going on for about 40 years,” said Michael Paul Roehrig, Baumholder assistant mayor. “Soldiers from the post as well as local residents come out to clear out trash within the city.”
Iron Horse Soldiers, clad in yellow or orange road-guard vests with trash bags in hand, split into small groups and collected litter throughout the city center and a highway leading into the city.
“I think this is a great opportunity for us to not only help the community, but show that we are good stewards of the environment,” said 1st Sgt. Carlos Beltran, Company D, 80th Civil Affairs Battalion, 85th Civil Affairs Brigade, which is working as part of the 4th Inf. Div. MCE.
The 4th Inf. Div. MCE is the regionally allocated division headquarters for U.S. Army Europe, providing command and control for all U.S. ground forces conducting operations in support of Atlantic Resolve.
The Soldiers walked about 2 miles picking up trash in the downtown area, near the Clinic Kaserne as well as a main highway leading into the city.
“It’s amazing that in just two to three hours how much trash is collected,” Roehrig said. “We filled up four to five trucks. It’s a big help for the community.”
In addition to 4th Inf. Div. Soldiers, many local residents came out to support the volunteer event.
“We normally get about 40 to 50 people; today I counted 77 people. That’s a big number,” Roehrig said. “I am very happy that more people are volunteering their time to help keep Baumholder clean.”
After unloading their full trash bags, the Soldiers returned to the starting point at Sports Club VfR Baumholder to enjoy grilled bratwurst and bröchen provided by city workers. The lunch gave the Soldiers a chance to mingle with city residents.
“It’s always a pleasure to have the Soldiers from the post come out and give us a hand. I hope that the numbers continue to grow in the coming years,” said Roehrig.