I was stationed in Frankfurt from 1986 to 1991. I made it over to East Berlin about a month before the Wall came down. In the East, we had to go in uniform (patches and insignia removed) and we went into shops where they wouldn’t wait on us, and I got bitched out by a middle-aged guy on the street, just because of who I represented. East Germans were not friendly at all.
In the West, the Germans that lived around where the Kassernes were, especially in the larger cities, were pretty mixed on how they viewed/treated us. As soon as we got into the smaller hamlets and countryside, though, they were a lot more friendly.
Just like here, I don’t pay much attention to the opinions of people that live in the larger towns and cities. As a general rule, there’s a reason they live there.
I was in Germany from 79-82. Stationed in Kirch-Goens. never got to Berlin, but had a helluva great time in Berhchesgarden. (sp). I do remember the 600 DM bar tab for a bunch of us celebrating my birthday. Ah...those lovely alcoholic days...Great time had by all. Now its Chocolate and coffee. eh?!
I visited Berlin a few months before the wall came down. In West Berlin, Reagan was a hero. Then I took a tour of East Berlin. OMG, what a wreck it was. No stores, nothing to buy as a souvenir. HORRIBLE “housing” in the Communist tradition of charm-free slum “housing.”
People have asked me how I got into East Berlin. Easy, I said. Just go to Checkpoint Charlie and get on a tour bus.
A few months later, the Wall came down. I still have a piece of it.
Given my observations, appreciation for the military and the related sacrifices falls into two camps:
1) family, friends, and fellow patriots
2) the historical records that outlive the otherwise complacent beneficiaries of the day.