On May Day, the US Army hosted a festival in Stuttgart to enhance its relationship with the local community, with the goal of recapturing the community connection it had before 9/11 and easing tensions with people who had complained about gunfire noise from the Army’s shooting range. 

The US Army held a festival in Stuttgart on May Day to improve its relationship with the local community, which had become distant due to security measures after 9/11. The festival was well attended, with up to 2,000 people estimated to have attended. Displays of military vehicles, hot dogs and American beer were on offer. The Army hopes to recapture the community connection it had with locals before 9/11. The relationship between the Army and the community has been tense at times, with a shooting range causing complaints about gunfire noise. Improved relationships could help to smooth out these differences. Some locals are proud to have the Army present, with the recent conflict in Ukraine making their presence more appreciated. 

Source: https://www.stripes.com/branches/army/2023-05-02/us-army-garrison-stuttgart-9986072.html