Scout Troops 1920 and 69 are presented with a certificate of appreciation from American Legion post GR01 in Kaiserslautern, Germany. (Nick Long)

On a chilly March weekend, scouts from Vogelweh’s Troop 69 and Troop 1920 were out in full force helping to move items for the American Legion.

I spoke with the commander of American Legion post GR01, David Garcia, who explained that they currently share a small, older building on Rhine Ordnance Barracks (ROB) in Kaiserslautern, Germany with the local VFW post. However, both had been offered newly refurbished and individual spaces at Sembach. So, he put out a call to the local Scouting America troops for some help.

The American Legion and VFW are moving out of the single post building they have shared for decades in Kaiserslautern, Germany. (Kat Nickola)

Scouts gather for instructions for helping pack out the American Legion (Kat Nickola)

Both Troops 69 and 1920 answered that call. The scouts showed up in their uniforms, but after a quick photo op and some instructions, they changed into work clothes and got down to business.

Outdoors, scouts worked together to clear old items and debris from the yard and outside storage. They slowly filled a large dumpster, clearing out shrubs, navigating large items into the front and tossing other things over the top.

Scouts from Troop 69 clear and tidy outside the American Legion building (Kat Nickola)

Scouts from Troop 69 move a large piece of play equipment in preparation for the American Legion’s move from their current post building to a new spot at Sembach. ()

Scout Hector Baldo carries an old pallet to the dumpster at the American Legion building on ROB. (Kat Nickola)

For the scouts in involved, this is not just about garnering service hours.

Hector Baldo from Troop 69 explained: “I do think it is a great honor for us to be helping out around here. My dad’s a soldier right now and a lot of us in the troop also have parents in the military, and helping veterans is a way to give back to our military, our country. It’s a good way to honor those who have served for our country.”

Inside, members of the American Legion community assembled boxes and sorted items while scouts took on the daunting task of packing out the kitchen. They wrapped dishes and cleared cabinets

Members of the American Legion community help assemble boxes and pack items. (Kat Nickola)

Aida Long, patrol leader of Troop 1920, finds volunteering to help the American Legion to be an interesting way to learn.

“I think it teaches scouts to be responsible… but also that we need to be careful. Like, we are working on dishes right now, so we have to really careful with that, but it’s a great opportunity to talk to the veterans and see what their backstory is.”

 Long, patrol leader from Scout Troop 1920 helps assemble boxes for the American Legion. (Kat Nickola)

Scouts from Troop 1920 help pack kitchen items at the American Legion building on ROB. (Kat Nickola)

Garcia showed me around the post building, which is full of nostalgic items from both the VFW and American Legion. The two organizations have shared the building since at least 1985, though the facility looks much older. While the shared space has worked well, Garcia expressed excitement about being able to have a dedicated post area. “We have so much other stuff in storage that will be great to hang up,” he said.

The walls of the current post building are covered in commendations, hand-made items, photos, and patches left by folks from other units who visited. Garcia showed me a large stack of license plates from visiting American Legion posts. He is glad that the new post building will have plenty of space to hang them up.

The current building that houses the American Legion and VFW is small but contains walls full of memorabilia from visiting veterans and military members. (Kat Nickola)

Garcia explains that the Legion posts overseas are unique to one in America where veterans often stay local after retirement. In Kaiserslautern, there are members of the veteran community that are more transitory than stateside; therefore, so the Legion acts as a safe space and home away from home as folks move through.

The current building has obviously been a great place for connections and possibly some rowdy get togethers “without bothering anyone,” says Garcia. The surrounding forest and nearby autobahn certainly give it an isolation that will be different at the new facility on Sembach where they are moving into part of the old elementary school. However, a newer place is really needed.

Scouts help dispose of trash behind the currently shared American Legion and VFW post building (Kat Nickola)

Outside, the wind blew hard on the scouts hauling logs into the dumpster; the metal roof shuttered violently, and I wondered how much longer it would last.

The connection between American Legions or VFWs and Scouting America at overseas locations is one of mutual assistance. Most Scout troops at military bases overseas are sponsored by their local VFW or American Legion.

Scouts from Troop 69 and 1920 of Vogelweh, Germany pose before getting to work packing out the American Legion. (Kat Nickola)