German town in “ok” from troop withdrawal: We love our Americans

Despite Donald Trump's frequent announcements, Nadine Firmont said the US president's recent move to withdraw American troops from Germany has hit their town. Landstuhl Like a bomb.

American troops have been part of life in this area since 1945, giving it a unique American-German identity in the heart of the largest American military community in Europe, writes The Guardian.

I should tell you, I was honestly shocked”, said Nadine Firmont, 45, who works in a local high school. While there have been reductions of troops and previous discussions about the American forces' shift, Trump's latest announcement contained an open threat that frightened Firmont and its neighbours.

Since General George Patton's Third Army marched to nearby Kaiserslauter in the spring of 1945, Americans have wandered into the fabric of everyday life, she says.

We love our Americans. They enrich the community in every way and make life more vivid”, Firmont said.

Not everyone likes the sound of their military jets, but it would be a big shame if they left. It would affect us”.

In addition to restaurants and shops dependent on American customers, Firmont points out that generations of Germans have developed friendships and have even established families with American guests, creating a unique identity for the region that now feels threatened.

Landstuhl is also home to the largest American hospital abroad, part of the Kaiserslawn military community, which has about 50,000 soldiers, support personnel and their families.

The United States had 68,000 active troops deployed permanently in Europe late last year, of which little more than half, about 36,400, were stationed in Germany.

Restaurant manager Karl Mazur-Recowski, 48, who emigrated from Poland as a child, says Landstuhl attracts people who want to live with an American “endian”.

They want contact with Americans to improve their English. Clearly, if they withdraw, they will carry many jobs and businesses within a radius of 30 to 40 miles [30 to 40 km]. It would be difficult times”, he said, calling for a return to dialogue, broadcasts Klankosova.tv.

“Diplomacy is the most important thing. You don't have to threaten, you can talk. It's better to talk than to start something that leads to something terrible”.

Americans in the city speak lovingly of their German hosts.

Jeremy Cole, 31, who arrived from Kansas last year to work in logistics, says his family has been welcomed with open arms.

We made a lot of friends here, and we made it right away, within the first 30 days. A local family showed us around and really showed us how things worked, introduced us to local expressions and food”, he said.

Chance Miller, 20, comes from a military family dating back to the American Civil War. He arrived at Landstuhl just over a year ago, following in the footsteps of his grandfather, who was stationed here in the late 1960s.

“He enjoyed and did the same things that I enjoy doing now”, Miller said, stressing his exploration of the region.

I have great friends, both Americans and Germans. I would be very disappointed if I had to leave, but I would have to follow orders. However, I would not want to have to pack up, leave, and leave all my friends. I'd be very sad. ”

Asked about the recent tensions, he admitted he was concerned.

“Aleance is under great pressure right now. I would prefer President Trump to work to protect the” alliance.