German Towns Fear U.S. Pullout: The withdrawal of troops may end friendships, healthy economy

The Houston Chronicle ^ | October 30, 2004 | Carl Honoré

[quidnunc]

Baumholder,Germany – Baumholder has been home to a U.S. military base for more than half a century, and, even today, Americans outnumber Germans by more than 2 to 1.

But now this town's 4,800 German inhabitants are bracing for the possible withdrawal of U.S. troops as part of Washington's plans to restructure its military.

Ulrike Norvell, 48, who works in the child-care department on the U.S. base, seems in shock. "Without the Americans, we simply cannot survive," she says, taking a long drag on her cigarette. "If they go, Baumholder will die."

A similar lament echoes through small towns across western Germany.

Forces needed elsewhere

Last August, the Bush administration announced plans for a global restructuring of U.S. armed forces to create a fighting force nimble enough to cope with the demands of 21st-century warfare. Details of the overhaul are to be hammered out in the coming months.

But the people of Baumholder fear that, no matter who wins Tuesday's U.S. presidential election, American troops will pull out of their town and many other places in Western Europe, returning home or moving to bases believed closer to the battlefields of the future.

Which units will leave Europe and when remains to be seen. But the withdrawal is expected to hit Germany — home to 80 percent of the continent's American troops — especially hard.

[outofhere2]

I'm really sorry for the locals who have been kind to our boys abroad and made some money but let's face it - Schroeder's been a jerk to the US. You thank him. Gotta go!

[oldenuff2no]

When we needed a good friend to help us, our friends stepped up to the plate.
The Germans chose to continue selling weapons to Iraq.
The consequences to these actions is the loss of 1 billion $$$ per year in your economy. Did old europe really think we give a rats a$$ about their socialist opinions? I wonder if they learned their lesson yet? If not, lets figure out something else to take away from them.

[raybbr]

Paybacks are a female dog huh.

Or, in this case: Raeche ist eine hundin.

[jamndad5]

I am deeply saddened!!!!!!!!

[Dutch Boy]

I lived in Baumholder from May 1981 through August 1983. I was in the 293rd Combat Engineers. Baumholder seemed to be a nice friendly little town. I never had any problems with the townspeople, or the merchants. I even pulled a stint with the German civilian post engineers.

The Americans were another story. GI's were too often fighting, mugging and disrespecting other GI's.

[RS]

"The withdrawal of troops may end friendships,"

True friendships will not end, the ones based on the American paychecks will....

[Always Independent]

Don't worry! Be Happy! Kofi has got some great plans for all those empty barracks!

[reg45]

Its Heineken. Great beer and the name only sounds German

Isn't Heineken Dutch! Corporate HQ in Amsterdam

[joesnuffy]

1 Billion per year?...Imagine putting that money back into the pockets it was taken out of
and what it could do for America's economy

[demlosers]

Baumholder may get a Stryker brigade because of its close proximity to Ramstein AB.

[ColdSteelTalon]

Well I was stationed in Heidelberg and hate to see us leave but its time I think. There is no real reason for us to be in Germany any more. If they ever decommission my old unit over there, I will make one last trip to the decommissioning ceremonies.

While I was over there, a good number of Germans wanted us out in the 1980's but I don't think that was the sentiment all around.

I do wish the German people well despite the fact that they abandoned us in the war on terror.

[rivercat]

I was there is 93, but was locked into the Academy area, so I never got a chance to see the town.

[paul51]

Move them all to Poland, an ally we can count on

[AMDG&BVMH]

"Also
Audi - automobiles
Volkswagen - automobiles
Robert Bosch - electronics
Grundig - electronics
Siemens - electronics"

I have to highly recommend:
Miele - dishwasher, washer, dryer (have all three)
The diswasher is the quietest in the world, and will clean a broiling pan without leaving anything behind. I am SO happy with these appliances!

P.S. Spent time "on the rock", too - as Baumholder was known. Fun driving down the mountain, taking those hills and curves . . .

[ml1954]

Maybe the Russians are interested in replacing us. Or better yet, how about the UN Army (as in United Nations), once they get around to creating one.

[ValerieUSA]

My Army son has been stationed in Germany this past year and loves it there.

[WideGlide]

yeah. Doh!

[Fenris6]

"I think it is time to stop putting our selves and our children into hock and tax slavery so the rest of the free world can refuse to work and defend itself!"

Agreed. To be fair, there are some good Germans who are appaled at the actions of thier government towards us, and this has more to do with post-Cold War realignment than payback.

That being said, I think the sooner Germany finds itself responsible for its own security, the sooner the global socialists will be tossed out.

Good luck, my German friends.

[Recon by Fire]

The Americans were another story. GI's were too often fighting, mugging and disrespecting other GI's.

That's what GI's do....fight. (Sarcasm)

[wagglebee]

Message to Germany:
The American translators are busy helping us capture and kill terrorists, so we didn't know how to say, "Go f*ck yourselves in German." Hopefully the economic impact will help clarify what our intentions are.