Gen Clarks Security Vehicle Stolen

Fightin Kentuckian ^ | 25 Sep 03 | Fightin Kentuckian

[fightin kentuckian]

Thought y'all might get a hoot out of this one. It's a true story about the time Gen Wes Clarks armoured car was stolen.

I was a Staff Sgt assigned to Allied Forces Northern Command Europe (AFNORTH) in Brunssum, Holland, from 96 to 2000. One day one of the sgt's I worked with brought in a pice of paper telling us to be on the lookout for Gen Wes Clarks armoured car. I thought it was just a bad joke until I read about it in the Stars and Stripes a day or two later.

I can't remember all the details but the gist of it was that as the NATO Commander, Clark was entitled to an armoured car. In this case I believe it was a BMW 7 series with the big engine and bullet proof goodies.

On this particular day, Mrs. Clark felt like hitting the links. And being the NATO Commanders wife, Mrs. Clark, according to the article, was also entitled to security, hence use of the armoured car. So Mrs Clark get's an Army driver to drive her to the golf course in the armoured car. I can't remember if the course was near SHAPE in Mons, Belgium or a little farther away, but for some reason I believe it was an hour or two away from Mons.

Anywho, some time during her golf game the car was stolen from the golf course parking lot. The car was recovered soon after and the explaination given was that the driver left the keys in the car.

I know it sounds pretty lame but I believe some poor soldier, either real or make believe, was made the whipping boy for Mrs. Clarks gaffe. Anyway, the whole story never seemed quite kosher. One thing is for sure, Gen Clarks armoured car was stolen but the rest of the story seems to me to be a cover for something else. However, this last part is merely my humble opinion.

That's about all I can remember but I thought I'd at least share this little rememberance with you.

I tried to find the story in the Stars and Stripes online but their archives only go back to 2000 and I believe this incident happened in 98 or 99. Other than that I have no proof unless one of you really slick data miners can lend a hand. Ciao, Fightin Kentuckian

[jammer]

Well, why was it Ms. Clark's gaffe? If you are saying that she did not really have a driver, then okay. But if she did, the driver was an idiot. I'd give her a break (sort of like Ross Perot's wife)--living with a crazy man cannot be easy.