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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 5 – Number 10
November 1, 2009
Ralph R, Thadeus, Editor
(Scheyern 53-56)
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ASMN
Reunion After Action Report. And the rains came, and came, and came. Then the temperature dropped way below normal but there was a hot time to be had in the Hofbräuhaus tent. Hoisting our Maß filled with the “real stuff” from Munich, we toasted the first of the German bands of the evening, the Hohenthanner Hopfenmusikanten. This band, from the Landshut area (almost directly East of Pfaffenhofen/Scheyern), played the traditional German oom-pa-pa music. Following the Hohenthanners were a group out of Alsace Lorraine called the Obenheimer Express. Man did they do a good job on the newer German music and pumped up versions of the old standards. A few of us managed to close the place up – it was so good.
The Hospitality Room got a pretty good workout judging from the quick disposal of the Jägermeister.
Saturday night was our reunion banquet and business meeting. The previous Board Members, Jim Natividad, Ray Lash and Ralph Thadeus were re-elected to their positions of President, Vice-President and Treasurer respectively.
No final decision was made about the location for our 2010 reunion but several locations are being considered by the Board. A final decision will be made by the end of the year and announced in our newsletter published on or about the 1st of January.
Joe Morrison (Scheyern 49-52) brings up a question about getting married to a German national. Joe writes: “As I recall, I marched into the Orderly Room one morning about 10:00 a.m. to declare my intentions and submit papers to marry my German girlfriend from Ingolstdt.
I then returned to working in the antenna field. I was on a tower 120 feet from the ground when an orderly clerk came out to ask that I report to the Orderly Room.
At this time I was told that my request was being processed and that I had lost my crypto clearance and was leaving the Company later that day (kind of expected). I was told to pack my personal belongings and report back by 3:00 p.m. for a new assignment. This was a fairly typical procedure for others that had preceded me but most were just transferred to a signal unit somewhere in Munich. Not me, I was transferred to Heidelberg.
My question is … it seems that some former ASA members who also married their German sweethearts never lost their clearances, is this true? Did they stay on with the Agency until retiring? I stayed in the Army for a total of 12 years with the Army Communication and Command Network, Atomic Energy Command and the Anti-Army Artillery Command.
Just curious, no complaints. All assignments were very good and I still have my German sweetheart after more than 59 years.”
Martha Fritz, wife of Don Fritz (Bad Aibling 56-58) expands on the subject of wives working at BA. She wrote: “In (September‟s newsletter) there is a section about working in the buildings as the ASA did not permit the Germans to work there. I also worked shift work with my husband in BA during my stays in Germany.” “I will get in touch directly with Mr. Dobson but if there are other girls out there who worked in the Snack Bar, it would be fun to hear from them. We lived above a bakery ,on the economy‟, so I would make peanut butter & jelly or egg salad sandwiches out of Semmeln. The guys (bought them) and thought they'd died and gone home (while) I made a small amount of extra money.” Martha adds: “It's mostly the girls who keep these guys in touch, so maybe it would be fun to see what some of the wives have to say that were there.
Editor: O.K. Ladies, let’s hear from you. If you want to contact Martha directly her e-mail address is nodtram(at)aol.com.
Jim Jarman, who was a DF operator for the British Army, attached to the 137th SRIC during WW-II, passes along the following information.
Government recognition for Bletchley Park WW2 veterans: GCHQ is delighted that those who served at Bletchley Park or one of its outstations during World War 2 will now receive formal recognition for the vital services they performed during World War 2 in the form of a commemorative badge. Jim adds: if (we) have any members that served in the UK during the 1939/45 War, at Bletchley Park, please notify them of the previous announcement by the UK Government.
Editor: If any of you know Bletchley Park veterans, they can get in touch with Jim Jarman by e-mail at JammyJarman(at)aol.com. “Jammy” can help them get this recognition.
Dennis Byrne (British DF site at Hoeglin near BA-69) finally caught up with Mike Lee. Dennis writes: “Hi Ralph, thanks for your newsletter and the interesting article on Aggi. He sounds like a few blokes I used to know.
First the good news – I have had contact with Mike Lee, he got hold of my e-mail address and sent me an e-mail stating,' I think you have found him'. He sent a picture of himself and although he now sports a big bead I could just recognize him. We sent several e-mails to each other about the old days, etc.
The bad news – I have sent several e-mail since but to date no reply. Either he has gone on vacation or his computer has crashed or something else has happened.”
Thanks for your assistance in this as it may have well been one of your newsletters that did the trick. Please keep sending you newsletters as they are always interesting to read. Again many thanks and regards to all ditty boppers.”
Ron Blake (Bad Aibling 64-67) writes: “I write this as I sit in my hotel room at the new B & O Hotel on the old BA Kaserne. The room I have is located in the old BOQ and the hotel proper is located in the old NCO Club. The activity of renovation is amazing. Apartments are being built, mostly completed out of the old HQ Company building. I was able to walk through (without permission) the old barracks at HQ Company. A Company and B Company are in the process of being totally gutted and renovated with a cladding of granite in the front. New skylights and dormers. It is an interesting transformation. I would encourage any of the old BA guys to visit. Thanks for the good work on the Interceptor.
LOST CONTACTS
Terrence H. Pypluk (Heilbronn 58-60) tatas01(at)rcn.com.
John H. Ferguson (Bad Aibling/Nottau 57-59) john(at)wildcatmining.com.
TAPS
Linda R. Greunke, wife of Vern Greunke (ASA Lives) passed away on September 28, 2009. As many of you know, Vern has dedicated a good part of his retired life keeping up the ASA Locator, and it takes a good wife to put up with such an effort. Our heartfelt condolences go out to Vern from his many friends within the Alpiners.
Vern's site is located at http://www.asalives.org or contact him by e-mail to heyvern(at)asalives.com.