Hohenfels ‘pumps’ up awareness of domestic violence

  • Walk a mile in their shoes

  • Getting in the swing of things

  • Going all the way

HOHENFELS, Germany (Oct. 7, 2014) — Most Soldiers are used to marching, but the Oct. 3 march on Hohenfels to draw awareness to domestic violence “pumped” things up a bit.

With men in women’s high heel pumps and women wearing combat boots, participants in the Army Community Service Family Advocacy Program’s “Walk a Mile in Their Shoes” event trudged along the streets of Hohenfels, while people in passing cars cheered them on.

“There’s an old saying that you can’t really understand another person’s experience until you’ve walked a mile in their shoes,” said Mike Haney, U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria-Hohenfels garrison manager. “These guys literally walked a mile in each other’s shoes, and it’s a playful way to raise awareness in the community and get people talking about something that’s really difficult to talk about.”

Besides the bright red high heels, some Soldiers added dresses.

“We’re making a statement against domestic violence,” said Spc. Mathew Bonner, 1st Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment. “When (Spc. Tanner Hageman) and I decided to do this walk, some female members of our squad said they had dresses that we should wear, so we said, ‘yeah, we’re in, let’s go all the way.'”

Army Community Service provided pumps up to size 15. Some Soldiers were even able to jog in them, while others plodded along carefully.

“I don’t know how women do this,” laughed Spc. Chris Lumpkin, 1-4th Infantry Regiment.

“My feet are killing me,” said Capt. John Teitman, chaplain. “But how many hours a day do women walk in these things? I’ll be thankful to put my boots back on, but this is a great opportunity to get out there and support the cause.”

With many Soldiers swinging their hips and “vamping” it up as cars rolled by honking with passengers waving, the march took on the feeling of a parade.

“This is something fun that everybody can get involved in,” said Misty Stills, Hohenfels Victim Advocate. “We got a lot of people who showed up with their spouses today, which is awesome, a couple of guys in dresses, and everybody’s being silly and having fun and it was a great time.”

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