Duty trains rocked...

Post #19,015 by screamer 11/20/01 5:13:57 PM Reply	Duty trains rocked... I was hassled one time at Magdeburg (I believe) and it kind of ruined Berlin for me. The zoo was cool, as well as Kudam (think it was actually Kurfursterdam?) Strasse. I did like Checkpoint Charlie. Does anyone know if there is still a museum there? What's interesting for me now is if I will ever be able to explain the tension that existed there before the wall came down to my kids... Were you in the service? Just a few thoughts, Screamer "I'll tip my hat to the new constitution, take a bow for the new revolution, smile and grin at the change all around, pick up my guitar and play, just like yesterday..." P. Townshend "Nietzsche has an S in it" Celina Jones
Post #19,019 by Brandioch 11/20/01 5:48:25 PM Reply	Yep. 7 years in the army.
Post #19,116 by screamer 11/21/01 11:35:38 AM Reply	Kewl... I may have made it 7 years were it not for my distaste for wearing green ;-) I was a four and out, wouldn't do it any other way... Miss the people, hated the organization. I have a nephew that asked me if he she join. I didn't know what to tell him. It helped me out - discipline, learning to work in teams, college tuition - but I had trouble given him a solid endorsement... I have to admit, that when September 11 first happened, I wanted to join back... I'm too old now, but I felt then and still feel now that what is going on in Afghanistan is important now and has very long range implications for the stability of "anti-war" in the 21'st century. As a race, I have always hoped that we could get beyond religion and skin color and nationalities to the core of our human existence. It's amazing the similiarity between all members of the human experience. It's also amazing how we tend to exagerate the differences... Babbling now, but thank you for your service to the USA. As corny as that phrase sounds, I mean it sincerely and wish I heard it more myself... Just a few thoughts, Dan "I'll tip my hat to the new constitution, take a bow for the new revolution, smile and grin at the change all around, pick up my guitar and play, just like yesterday..." P. Townshend "Nietzsche has an S in it" Celina Jones
Post #19,136 by Brandioch 11/21/01 1:13:51 PM Reply	I'd never recommend it. The total stupidity wasn't worth it. That's why I did 7 years. I thought it would get better as I moved up. I made E-6 in four years. It never got better. I just got to see the stupidity start and watch it roll.
Post #19,153 by jbrabeck 11/21/01 2:24:09 PM Reply	But I would... To those who haven't a clue about what they want to do with their life. Four and out (if they have gotten a clue). Give them time to mature, get some job training, experience a different way of life, maybe different culture and a chance to pick up some college credits and a chunk of change to pay for college. But not for those who have their life planned. I went cuz I had to go. Draft number came up, student deferment was revoked (didn't want to be a student...), so it was either enlist for 3 with an option of duty and training OR be drafted for 2 and go to 'Nam. Took the 3. Ended up in Germany. Found computers. Ended up in charge of computer operations for the Finance Center in Europe. But when the Army decided that after 10 years, a Finance NCO (E6) should be in charge of the finance records and not the computers, I decided my time was up, got out and finished in the Reserves as a 1SG/MSG. It's not the life for everyone, but I'd recommend it. And I have suggested to my oldest daughter that she consider it. She has no idea of what she wants to do. So instead of wasting time in college now, do some military time, grow up and then go to college and enjoy life. [link\|mailto:jbrabeck@mn.mediaone.net\|Joe]
Post #19,062 by CRConrad 11/20/01 10:07:06 PM Reply	Strolled around Magdeburg at age 12 or 13; no hassles then.. ...but later on, when I was older, there were. IIRC. It's "Kurfürstendamm", without any 'Strasse', BTW. From "Kur-fürst", "Prince Elector" -- 'Fürst' (cf 'first') is 'Prince', and 'kur-' is from "zu küren", "to select" or "to declare"; it refers to one of the nine(?) minor-monarchs who got to vote on "electing" the next Emperor. Phuck knows where '-damm' comes from. Christian R. Conrad The Man Who Knows Fucking Everything
Post #19,110 by screamer 11/21/01 11:22:03 AM Reply	Thank you for the info... Herr, er, ummm... Sir tour guide... Of course I was not exactly welcome given the situation that I was in. My Grandfather on my mother's side was from Potsdam and my grandfather and grandmother on my father's side were from Dresden. I couldn't get to Potsdam or Dresden in the old configuration but have been planning a trip back. It's been put on hold for a few more years as a result of my talliwacker (wife is 5 months pregnant with our second child). I really miss Deutschland and, although I'm American born and raised, I still feel a strong kinship with the Fatherland as a result of my heritage. In any event, I would like to get back to Berlin to give it another try. It is a unique city and one of the world's hidden treasures. I spent most of my 3 years of duty in Frankenland and Bavaria, which are some of the world's better known treasures. I still have a few friends that I keep in touch with and they keep me abreast of what's up in Wurzurg and Frankfurt. I'm waxing nostalgic now with nothing to say, so I appreciate your indulgence to this point. Do you get back home much? Just a few thoughts, Screamer "I'll tip my hat to the new constitution, take a bow for the new revolution, smile and grin at the change all around, pick up my guitar and play, just like yesterday..." P. Townshend "Nietzsche has an S in it" Celina Jones
Post #19,125 by CRConrad 11/21/01 12:12:13 PM Reply	You're welcome. Heck no, I get back all too rarely. Last time I went was, uhm... 1992, -93 or -94? Can't remember -- anyway, it was for my maternal grandfather's birthday, his eightieth it must have been. He died a few weeks ago -- he'd been ailing for years, my Mom was down there helping look after him all summer -- but for several individually petty but altogether nonetheless valid reasons, I couldn't go to the funeral. :-( This is all down in Joe B's erstwhile neck of the woods, BTW: My home town, Tübingen, is on the Neckar just like Heidelberg. Christian R. Conrad The Man Who Knows Fucking Everything
Post #19,170 by screamer 11/21/01 4:17:38 PM Reply	My condolences... I'm sorry to hear about your grandfather. I'm also sorry that you don't get to go back to your hometown much. I don't either. I think I mentioned to you a few years ago that Heidleberg is a beautiful place. I also would like to go back to Rothenberg (burg?) am der Tauber? as well. I loved the architecture and general aesthetics of Bamburg as well... Hated rauchbier however... (what kind of sick mind came up with that?) But I digress... This all, of course, has nothing to do with the War on Terror... so I'm gonna stop for now. Tomorrow is the big Thanksgiving holiday for us Merrykins (Ashton?) so I've gotta hit the road soon and won't be able to check back to forums until next Monday. Eat a turkey sandwich in solidarity with your American brothers... Just a few thoughts, Screamer "I'll tip my hat to the new constitution, take a bow for the new revolution, smile and grin at the change all around, pick up my guitar and play, just like yesterday..." P. Townshend "Nietzsche has an S in it" Celina Jones

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