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The E-Mail Newsletter of the Army Security Agency Alpiners Reunion Group
Serving veterans of the SIS, ASA and INSCOM who were stationed in Germany or Austria
Volume 4 – Number 12
January 3, 2009
Ralph R, Thadeus, Editor
(Scheyern 53-56)
E-Mail Us or Visit Our Web Site
ASMN
I just finished reading James Bamford’s book A Pretext For War (9/11, Iraq and the Abuse of America’s Intelligence Agencies). Those of you who have not yet read it should do so. It’s a fairly long book so at least read Part III. There is nothing new in the book, that is not already common knowledge, but the way Bamford put’s it all together might open up your eyes to a different slant on Iraq.
Bill Nippert (BA 70-72, Augsburg 72-76/69-81/86-89) passed on some more travel tips for those of us heading back to Germany next year. He writes “…thought I'd pass on my own little travel money saving tidbit for your use/further passing on! Several trips ago we encountered a handy little thing from Deutsche Bahn called a Bayern Ticket (each state apparently has their own version for traveling within the state). This Bayern Ticket is good for a group of up to/incl 5 people, traveling together on ALL public transit in Bavaria from time of purchase until 0300 the next day. As an example: our last trip (Sep/Oct 08) we were a party of 4 adults, flew into Munich arriving just before lunch. Bought one of these tickets at the S-Bahn automatic ticket machines & used it for S-Bahn into Munich Hauptbahnhof; all Bus, Strassenbahn, S-Bahn & U-Bahn in & around town; the DB for 2nd Class train to Augsburg & then Strassenbahn to our hotel in Augsburg.
Here's the even nicer part: Only 29 Euros over the counter at any DB agency/travel center (there's one at the Munich Airport), but 20 feet away at the DB/S-Bahn Ticket Automatik - it's 2 Euro cheaper. These tickets are available in any automated ticket machine throughout Bavaria, payable by cash or card. If we had used the Munich transit system's "Tageskarte (Day Ticket)", we would be talking 40 Euros (10/person) & that wouldn't include the train to Augsburg & the Augsburg Strassenbahn. The only problem we encountered was trying to use the ticket for the Oberbayern RVO bus from Bad Reichenhall to Salzburg. We've used the ticket on RVO busses before, but I guess just not to Salzburg! Since the bus spent so much time & had so many stops in Austria, the Bayern Ticket wasn't allowable - so we just went & got on the train (only stop in Austria is the Salzburg Bahnhof) & had no problem.
Concur on cheaper 'quality' sleeping outside of Munich (you can always get a cheap sleep in Munich - but you get what you pay for). We've used the Best Western in Erding for our last night on two recent trips (there are two Best Westerns in Erding, the one we use is right across street from the Erding S-Bahnhof, real easy on carrying/rolling the bags) and offers early morning van or arrange early morning taxi for the 10K drive to the airport, depending on what time you're flight leaves.
A question that maybe one of my [more senior than me] fellow Alpiners may be able to answer. When I arrived at BA (Aug 70), folks were talking about the Erding AFB, either just closed or closing. Based on everything I can analyze the 'new' Munich Airport (ca mid 90's opening) is actually on the land that was the Erding AFB - Right? “
Supporting Member Jamie Johnson (Scheyern 53-55) is now a published author. Jamie just sent me a copy of his newly published book Fire and Eternity. I haven’t had a chance to finish it yet but for starters let me mention that the central character of the book, John Paul Dupray, was a Morse Intercept Operator working out of Germany at a station called Scheyernhoffen. I laughed my butt off reading about Morse school and the memories of how similar it was to my own experiences.
Plug – plug: You can purchase a copy of Jamie’s book through the on line book seller “buybooksontheweb.com.” Their web site is located at http://www.bbotw.com. Once there just click on the search box at the top by title or author. The price of the book listed is only $16.95.
Glen Caldwell (14 of 20 years in Germany) tells us that the 303rd MI Battalion is now back in Camp Slayer, Iraq. The 303rd traces its history back to the WW2 3253rd Signal Service Company (RI). The 3253rd landed on Omaha Beach July 12, 1944 and was attached to the US XV Corps.
Glen added that in his long career he worked closely with NSA civilians and that they were a great asset.
Tom Murphy (Baumholder 54-56) expanded a little on the passing of Joe Macaravage (last month’s TAPS) It seems that “Mac” was a key individual in planning and organizing the Baumholder reunions.
If anyone has contact with the Asmara/Kagnew group would you please forward their e-mail address to me. The last edition to the Interceptor bounced. I was using this address for their mail: usasafs@kagnewstation.com.
NEW CONTACTS
Samuel F. Chapman – Baumholder 56-58
Jim Compton – Scheyern 53-55
Al “Pete” Pitre – Wobeck/Rothwesten/Lenggries 64-68
TAPS
Supporting Member Jim Clinton (Scheyern/Heilbronn 48-53/Rothwesten 65-67) passed away as reported by his wife Catherine, who wrote: “It is with regret that I inform you of the death of James. W. Clinton on November 29th of complications of Alzheimer’s. At the time of his death Jim was at the Long Island Veterans Home in Stony Brook on Long Island, NY. Jim served in the ASA from 10 Sept ’47 until his retirement 1 Oct. ’67 at the rank of E8. Both he and I enjoyed many reunions and picnics with the Alpiners over the years. He leaves 6 children along with 2 stepchildren, 21 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren.” In conclusion Catherine sent her “best regards to all.”
NOTE: Joseph Clinton, the grandson on Jim, is an active duty Marine stationed at Camp Lejune. Joseph would like to contact any of you out there that served in Germany with Jim so he, Joseph, can know more about the time Jim spent in Germany. You can contact his grandson Joseph at: azmarininoki@yahoo.com.
Samuel A. Milliken (Salzburg/Bad Aibling) passed away on December 8th as reported by Carl Zelich (Bad Aibling 60-62)
Paul Julius (Scheyern/Wels 49-52) passed away on April 20, 2008, as reported by Don Appelbaum (Scheyern/Wels 49-52). Don wrote that Paul “was a great guy and an excellent operator. He was very proud of his service and had a full military funeral wearing his half century plus old uniform. All his old buddies will remember him fondly I am sure. This was reported by his widow, Mrs. Mary Julius.”
Richard Louis Lohr (118th Signal Radio Intelligence Company – WW2) passed away at his home in Fishertown, Bedford County, PA on November 30, 2008. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Ethel, and son Duane.