Alfeld-Augsburg-Bad Aibling-Bahrdorf-Bamburg-Baumholder-Bebra-Berlin- Bremen-Coburg-Frankfurt-Fulda-Giebelstadt-Giessen-Hammelburg-Heidwinkel-Heilbronn- Herzogenaurach-Hof-Kassel-Königslutter-Linz-Mahring-Malmsheim-Mannheim- Memmingen-Munich-Mt. Meissner-Nottau-Nürnberg-Oberursel-Offenbach-Passau-Rothwesten-Sontra-Salzburg-Scheyern-Vienna-Wasserkuppe-Weiden-Wels
The E-Mail Newsletter for SIS, ASA and INSCOM Veterans who served in Germany or Austria
Volume 3 – Number 9
October 1, 2007
Ralph R, Thadeus, Editor
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ASMN
Supporting member Charles L. Rand, Jr. (Scheyern 55-57) sent us a postcard on his way to Prague CZ with his son. Charles had paid a visit to the Scheyern Kloister and the old FS 8608 base at Scheyern on August 24th saying that he had a great time. They were on their way through Poland, the Baltic Countries and Sweden before heading home. Charles, if you got some good pictures of the base when you were there send a couple and we might be able to publish them.
Sorry that I missed this in the last newsletter but Roger Motsinger (Frankfurt 60’s) asked us to help out another ASAer named Robert R. Racicot (Bad Aibling 60-62). Robert is trying to locate a Steve Skraba who was with an ASA unit in England. Robert is not on the Internet so if you have any information on Skraba, send it to me and I will snail-mail it to him.
Supporting member Noel Allard (Bad Aibling 58-60) scanned us the ASA crest that he wore on his uniform while stationed In BA. Noel thought some of you former BAers might be interested in seeing it again. The crest is the standard size, about one inch square. You may be able to click on the image to enlarge it for a better view.
Ray Lohr (Baumholder 52-54) writes: “When my wife and I took a trip through Germany in 1984, so that I could re-live the old days, we stopped for a day in Baumholder. I didn’t expect to see the old station to be the same as when I left in 1954, so I wasn’t surprised to see that it was now Wetzel Kaserne; a school for Non-Coms. I was so excited that I really didn’t notice that the roads in and out were no longer dirt and had street signs that I failed to read. Later when we stopped for lunch in town, I picked up a small pamphlet that had ads on one side and a map of the area on the back. It wasn’t dated, but I would assume that it had been printed some years before when ASA was the occupant. I was looking at the map last month when going through souvenirs, and for the first time read the really teeny tiny lettering of the names of old 8611’s entry and exit roads…Morse and Marconi. Gee! What a great way to disguise the goings-on and activities of those who served in silence. I guess the guys who worked there long after we early ‘50’s fellows left, didn’t think it was proper to tell inquisitive soldiers from other units that we were a laundry and the wires stretched from one Rhombic to another was where we hung the clothes.
And to continue my opinion on how security can be abused when used by some…About five years ago when I spoke to officials of our ex-bosses (aka NSA) by phone, regarding writing my book about ASA, I was told that I could not use the words: ASA, Baumholder, or Germany. Two years later, after speaking with the Director in charge of the Intelligence Museum set up by NSA to show displays of their past, they placed a German stein of mine in a glass covered cabinet. May I mention here that in addition to my name and rank, it also contains the words: ASA, Baumholder, Germany and date.
And to wind down…I still remember the lecture given a few of us who were being de-briefed by our CO at FS 8611 when going home. When one man asked what we were to say when a potential employer asked what type of work we did in the army, he stated that we should answer by telling him that you were a radio operator. I guess I was out of line when I asked what we should do then if he brought out a Morse key and asked how fast your could send. He must have had a hearing problem since he didn’t reply.”
Ray concluded by saying that his “book is still out there, waiting for a publisher.”
Dan Bonsteel (Rothwesten 67-70) appreciated seeing Lief Bentsen’s picture of the 1966 Rothwesten Flag FB Team. Dan recognized most of the guys in the photo since he played on the same team in 1967 and 1968.
For those of you that noticed. Sorry that the last Interceptor got out so late. I went up to Cleveland over Labor Day to visit family and, unfortunately, could not get me lap top to work wireless up there.
LOST CONTACTS
George Grisset (Bad Aibling 55-56)
NEW CONTACTS
Rena L. Biggs-Palma (Augsburg 75-76)
Frederick (Fritz) Veidt (Heidwinkel/Bahrdorf 60-62) Returning from Lost Contacts list.
Wilbur F. Burgett (Scheyern 49-54)