Mannheim Elementary School students pull the lanyards on confetti "bombs" at the end of the school's closing ceremony Friday in Mannheim, Germany. The school is closing as the drawdown of the military community enters its final phase. The school has served the community since 1946. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)

The American flag that flew over Mannheim Elementary School in Germany is folded for last time by present and former students of the school. The school closed for good on Friday. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)

Former Mannheim Elementary School student Caleb Brown talks about his time at MES as other former students Rosemary Datz, Dariush Tehranfar and Iman Karnabi listen. Friday was the last day of school at MES as it closed forever after 66 years. The Mannheim military community is in the final phase of its closure due to the realignment of U.S. Forces in Europe. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)

Mannheim Elementary School principal Sharon Overstreet speaks at the school's closing ceremony Friday in Mannheim, Germany. The school closed after serving the community, which itself is closing, for 66 years. The signs point to some of the places where the students will be attending school next year. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)

Mannheim Elementary School students sing the national anthem at the beginning of the school's closing ceremony Friday in Mannheim, Germany. The Mannheim Military Community is closing as a result of the realignment of U.S. forces in Europe. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)

Students from Mannheim Elementary School in Germany sing and dance the "Bobcat Boogie" to start off the school's closing ceremony. The school closed Friday, after serving the community for 66 years. When it opened in 1946, 55 students were enrolled. During the height of the Cold War, enrollment was more than 2,200, making it the largest school in the Department of Defense Education Activity. For its final year, 139 students were enrolled. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)