Replies

My last two years in Germany were unbelievable, because I was finally able to take a couple of German classes. During the two years I was stationed at Hahn AB, my work week was usually 90-100 hours. I lived off base, and picked up what I could.

I was transferred to Battalion HQ at Spangdahlem, where I was a staff officer, and was able to take two immersion classes. A few months later, I was sent TDY to a German anti-aircraft range near Kiel. I was speaking nearly fluent German by the end of the summer.

It's been 40+ years, but I'm able to dust off a few phrases when I go to Fredericksburg twice a year. Last summer, I visited an old Army buddy, it was our first meeting in 40+ years since we last saw each other. He married a German girl, I was his best man. We'd converse in German, it just made sense.

When the movers came to my apartment to pack up my household goods for shipment back to the states, I was speaking in German when my friend stopped by on his way to work.

While talking to him, they asked if I was an American, too..."could've fooled me" was their response.

Another highlight was my first meeting with the staff at that German range. I was assigned an interpreter, but the German commander pulled me aside after the meeting. "Lieutenant, you can ditch the interpreter, your German is just fine."

You know the Germans are good people led by not good ones at this point. My short time there found a people so great I thought of transferring citizenship when a girlfriend's parents found my service was ending and they talked of incorporating me into their family business if I just stayed.

While we can't turn black the clock and should never wallow in regrets I think I was RIGHT returning home for harder times rather than taking that far easier ex-patriot path.

I'm like that little nugget the Leftists keep trying to flush yet find keeps swirling back up no matter how much the handle is pushed. LOL