How many of you have went on a Volksmarch in Germany?

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 08 Oct 2014 13:52:18 -0400

These were a lot of fun and besides the long walk down scenic paths, you could learn a bit about Germany, win a medal and get some great finger food. And beer. lol

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 8 at 2014 1:53 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 08 Oct 2014 13:53:40 -0400

I did a few of them, and also did some charity biking events with the Germans. Loved it! Fun times indeed!

Response by MSG Wade Huffman made Oct 8 at 2014 5:26 PM

MSG Wade Huffman — Wed, 08 Oct 2014 17:26:34 -0400

Two tours in Germany (Fischbach Army Depot and Ansbach) and we went on quite a few! They were always a fun time (regardless of the weather), met lots of locals (and other Americans that weren't in my unit), and lets not forget the 'fest' at the end! Still have a few of the souvenir mugs that somehow managed to survive multiple PCS moves!
Thanks for bringing back some great memories!

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 8 at 2014 6:22 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 08 Oct 2014 18:22:55 -0400

I used to love Volksmarching. And the medals, the mugs, etc., were like a cherry on top of the ice cream sundae of good healthy walking.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 8 at 2014 6:29 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 08 Oct 2014 18:29:19 -0400

If someone would adopt me, I'd go on every Volksmarch Germany has to offer. Oh, I miss it :(

Response by SSG Maurice P. made Oct 8 at 2014 6:35 PM

SSG Maurice P. — Wed, 08 Oct 2014 18:35:31 -0400

damn i was stationed at both rhein main air base and sembach outside k-town and i never heard of that volksmarch

Response by SGT Richard H. made Oct 8 at 2014 11:15 PM

SGT Richard H. — Wed, 08 Oct 2014 23:15:13 -0400

I never did a Volksmarch, but I did the Nijmegen 4 day march once. That was pretty fun.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 8 at 2014 11:35 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 08 Oct 2014 23:35:54 -0400

I went on many of them during the 2+ years I was stationed in Erlangen, Germany. I bought a walking stick and bought a stein and a badge (mounted to the stick) for every one I did.

For some of the walks, my memory is a bit sketchy - although I'm sure that doesn't have any direct correlation to the beer that was available about every 1/2 kilometer.

Response by SSG Laureano Pabon made Oct 9 at 2014 9:30 PM

SSG Laureano Pabon — Thu, 09 Oct 2014 21:30:19 -0400

I did one time :)
They had mugs so I won one drank beer with it.

Response by SFC Istvan Nagy made Oct 10 at 2014 11:06 AM

SFC Istvan Nagy — Fri, 10 Oct 2014 11:06:04 -0400

I went on dozens of Volksmarches during my two assignments in Germany in 1985-1988 and 1989-1992. I still have most of my "Medals" or other things awarded for finishing a volksmarch. But, the best award was always a good time with friends and colleagues during the march and especially afterwards in the beer tent.

Response by SSgt Andrew Michael Pietri made Oct 10 at 2014 11:37 AM

SSgt Andrew Michael Pietri — Fri, 10 Oct 2014 11:37:57 -0400

I was a volksmarching 'fool'. Every weekend, rain or shine. Did a lot of marathons. Have all my 'medals' too.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made May 7 at 2015 4:46 PM

LTC Stephen F. — Thu, 07 May 2015 16:46:28 -0400

I went on Volksmarches near Stuttgart and Ludwigshafen in 1979 and Volksmarches in Kemmern and elsewhere around Bamberg from 1981 to 1983. Enjoyed the camaraderie, the chance to speak German, and good food and bier at the various stops. The Germans had a very nice tradition with Volksmarching which allowed everyone to participate and rewarded people for just paying 10 marks or so if I remember. I expect the price has gone up and have no idea how many Euros are required to get a "medal."

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 7 at 2015 7:36 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 May 2015 19:36:34 -0400

We beat Sembach 74-7 and 50-6 at Sembach.

Response by SSG Clayton Blackwell made May 9 at 2015 3:55 AM

SSG Clayton Blackwell — Sat, 09 May 2015 03:55:38 -0400

I only deployed through Germany as a soldier and didn't have time. (3 days in wiesbaden going, 1 week Landstuhl returning) But as a dependant I lived in Germany for 7 years and went on a bunch of them. I loved doing them back then.

Response by MAJ Keira Brennan made May 25 at 2015 11:23 PM

MAJ Keira Brennan — Mon, 25 May 2015 23:23:04 -0400

I have great memories of Germany (Stuttgart) and some fun volksmarches. I didn't get a medal but I did get a few "stock nagels" walking stick medals. These aren't mine below - but I have a few. Next time back I want to do a few. Beer ist gut!

Response by SFC Jesse Worney made Jun 21 at 2015 5:29 PM

SFC Jesse Worney — Sun, 21 Jun 2015 17:29:30 -0400

Yes I have. It was a physical experience for me, helped me to get more in shape.

Response by SPC Adam Kuykendall made Jun 25 at 2015 7:35 AM

SPC Adam Kuykendall — Thu, 25 Jun 2015 07:35:27 -0400

I did them for the pewter top beer mugs.

Response by SFC Kathleen Lowrance made Feb 26 at 2018 7:40 AM

SFC Kathleen Lowrance — Mon, 26 Feb 2018 07:40:24 -0500

SFC. I walked every weekend and all of the German holidays. I completed Nijmegen and the NATO Sergeants march from 1982 - 1985. Tried to find some Volksmarches here in Georgia but no luck. Had to substitute the 12 mile road marches every quarter. No medals at the end of those! Hah.

Response by SSG Mark Franzen made May 13 at 2018 6:55 PM

SSG Mark Franzen — Sun, 13 May 2018 18:55:49 -0400

I WAS STATIONED THERE FOR 6 YEARS AND I DID ALMOST EVERY WEEKEND THAT COULD GET FREE ENJYED VERY MUCH.
SSG MARK FRANZEN
USA COLD WAR VET

Response by SSG Mark Franzen made Sep 29 at 2018 7:46 PM

SSG Mark Franzen — Sat, 29 Sep 2018 19:46:11 -0400

I did them every weekend if I didn't have duty most of time I did 2 of both Saturday and 2 on sunday enjoyed very much.
SSG MARK FRANZEN
USA VET

Response by SSG Mark Franzen made Dec 16 at 2019 9:52 PM

SSG Mark Franzen — Mon, 16 Dec 2019 21:52:03 -0500

Every weekend I would do them unless I had duty but I would do 1 or 2 on Saturday and 1 or 2 on Sunday enjoyed a lot miss it.