Miss America Katie Stam visits with Army Spc. Victor Hudleston at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center on Sunday. Stam is visiting troops around Germany. (Mark Abramson / Stars and Stripes)
For the first time in 30 years, the reigning Miss America has made the rounds in Germany, meeting with youngsters and bringing some cheer to wounded troops.
On Friday, Katie Stam was in Stuttgart to talk with high school and elementary school students, bringing her message on the importance of service.
"They’re really amazing people," Stam, 22, of Seymour, Ind., said of servicemembers. "They’ve dedicated their lives to upholding the integrity of our nation, fighting for our freedom and putting their lives on the line."
During a visit to Patch Elementary School, the students welcomed Stam with a loud greeting: "We love you, Miss America."
Stam, a student at the University of Indianapolis, told the young students about her childhood dream of one day becoming Miss America. With self-confidence and believing in yourself, dreams can be achieved, she said.
On Sunday, Stam, feeling a little under the weather herself, made the rounds at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center’s intensive care unit, leaving photos of herself as a gift for the patients who were not awake.
"It means the world to me," Stam said about spending time with the troops. "I know that it affects them.
"There are so many opportunities in the States (as Miss America) that it is difficult to get abroad."
She also visited the Fisher House and other troops in the hospital, including Army Spc. Victor Hudleston, 24, of Pebble Beach, Calif. Hudleston checked out Sunday after spending a week at Landstuhl because of a spider bite. He is part of the Baumholder, Germany-based Bravo Company of the 2nd Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment.
"They discharged me and I said, ‘I’m not leaving,’" Hudleston said about his chance to meet Miss America. "It’s people like that that make you realize why you do it. I could see why she was picked (to be Miss America)."
"It’s people like you that help us," he told Stam.
Petty Officer 1st Class Heather Jurek, 36, said she also enjoyed her visit with Miss America. Jurek was being treated at Landstuhl for an illness she got in Afghanistan.
"It was a very pleasant surprise. Just heartwarming," Jurek said about the visit. "When I was telling her about my husband, her eyes lit up. I appreciate that humanity in her."
Stam said a return trip later this year for the Navy Ball and Army Ball is in the works and so is a trip downrange to Afghanistan and Iraq, possibly during the holiday season.
Stam spoke briefly about the controversy surrounding Carrie Prejean, Miss California USA, who said she believes marriage is between a man and a woman during that contest’s question-and-answer period.
"I first want to say for the record, it really doesn’t matter what she answered, but how she answered it," Stam said, arguing that contestants should be judged on their poise and the completeness of their answers. "We shouldn’t judge people for their opinion. We’re all entitled to our opinion. That’s the beauty of America."
Miss America Katie Stam visits with Army Spc. Victor Hudleston at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center on Sunday. Stam is visiting troops around Germany. (Mark Abramson / Stars and Stripes)
Miss America Katie Stam is mobbed by Patch Elementary School students following a visit to the school in Stuttgart, Germany, on Friday. (Michael Abrams / Stars and Stripes)
Miss America Katie Stam, during a visit to Patch Barracks in Stuttgart, Germany, on Friday. (Michael Abrams / Stars and Stripes)
