It was a nightmarish start for the new mayor, Thorsten Grädler. The 61-year-old won the election in the small German town of Vilseck, which is situated near the border with the Czech Republic, in March. Monday, May 4, was his first official day on the job. And shortly after noon, a breaking news alert shocked the town and its 6,500 residents: Thousands of US soldiers  from the local Stryker Brigade Combat Team might have to go home in the coming months, although official confirmation is still pending. Grädler, visibly moved, told DW: "People's initial reaction was fear. After all, we've been living in close friendship with our American neighbors here for 80 years." Vilseck had become their "home away from home," the mayor said. "They feel at home here, far from their homeland. The Americans are integrated into our social life, in soccer and music clubs.…