Michael Kenfield | U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden | May 16, 2023

WIESBADEN, Germany – Selfless service – one of the seven Army values – challenges Soldiers to put the welfare of the nation, the Army and subordinates before their own; to serve something larger than themselves. U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden has epitomized selfless service by standing out as the installation to donate the highest dollar amount per capita in the 2023 Army Emergency Relief campaign.

“Soldiers Helping Soldiers is at the heart of the Warrior Ethos and the motto of AER. Since September 11, 2001 AER has provided $1 billion in financial assistance to active and retired Soldiers as well as their Families,” said Vice Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army Gen. Randy A. George in a recent AER video.

AER goes beyond their motto. AER is service to one another, it is self-sacrifice and it volunteerism, it is Soldiers helping a larger and greater community that includes Families, veterans and retirees.

In this year’s AER campaign, which ran from March 1 to May 15, U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden finished with a greater per capita donation rate than any other unit across the Army. The per capita total of $24.69 and the total number of donations lead USAG Wiesbaden to raise more than $31,914 to support AER.

Challenge extended

Col. David Mayfield, USAG Wiesbaden commander, issued a challenge to all Garrison units during this year’s annual AER campaign event. Mayfield told all the units that the Garrison would fund a special physical training event for the unit with the leading total of donations.

What would the lead company-sized element with the top donations win as their prize? Known as battle ball, the PT event entails Soldiers donning large, air-filled, plastic protective sphere-like orbs and running around a field. Battle ball, which resembles teammates playing soccer while wearing a hamster ball, was a success – full of fun and release of energy.

Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 24th Military Intelligence Battalion, contributed the greatest dollar amount and was the winner of Mayfield’s challenge. They earned their battle ball PT event on May 15 at Outdoor Recreation’s multipurpose sports field located on Clay North.

Selfless service

Comparing the figures with the previous year, USAG Wiesbaden had a significant increase in donations overall, and a particularly high level of participation by active duty Soldiers.

“After the pandemic, we were able to recruit more representatives to our program in each active unit,” said Brianna Johnson, USAG Wiesbaden Army Emergency Relief Officer.

AER successes can be attributed to events such as kickoff ceremonies, fun runs or cake cuttings – but also to committed and dedicated selfless volunteers.

“These factors were critical to our achieving such impressive results,” added Johnson.

Army Emergency Relief was created to alleviate financial distress of Soldiers and Army Families. For more than 80 years, AER has been the conduit through which Soldiers provide financial support to their brothers and sisters in arms. Since 1942, AER has supported 4 million Soldiers with almost $2 billion in financial assistance, including $1 billion since 9/11.