I received the following e-mail today from Horst Glaser in Germany. He’s proposing a meet-up or joint reunion between us and our German counterparts during our next reunion in Rimbach in June. Sounds a fine idea to me since, according to Charlie’s preliminary plans, most of our planned travels together will end just prior to the Rimbach fest, which is about the time Horst is proposing. (He also sent the accompanying photo.)

Please post your thoughts.

Dear Bill,

I write to you this e-mail as a former soldier of the german army who was stationed 2 years (1970-72) at the tower auf the Hohenbogen in Lower Bavaria. I got your e-mail-address from Bob West (former member of the US Army who also serviced at the Hohenbogen) to whom I talked today by phone and who is now permanently (since 2008) living again in Rimbach.

As I already some times organized a meeting of some old german comrads and I’m planning again to do so for the next year Bob recommanded to me to ask you wether also you will organize a meeting of you US-boys again in the upcoming year. As Bob told me that could be possible over the Rimbach Volksfest from 12.-14th of Juni 2009, I thought it could perhaps be a could idea to combine the two meetings and arrange a us/german meeting of old army-comrads. Moreover there will be on the 13th of June also a “Gartenfest” in Koetzting which will be organized by the Traditionsverein Hohenbogenkaserne of Koetzting (=club of former Koetzting soldiers of the german army).

Would be very nice if you answered my e-mail and we could arrange something together.

Wish you a good New Year and remain

sincerely,

Yours

Horst Glaser
(Living next to Baden-Baden/Black Forrest/Germany)

In the two years I was stationed at Rimbach, 74-76, I had zero contact with our direct German counterparts on the Hill.  The only contacts I had with the Germany Army were more on the Combat Arms side in Cham and elsewhere for official functions.
Still, I think it would be a great experience to meet with them, since we did share the same environment, even if this is happening 30+ years later.

Erich

It sounds like a great idea to me.  The only contact I had with any of them back then was a short timers party at the Koetzting Bierfest.  A bunch of us wished the fellow alles gute and had a few too many.  Anyway, I think he re-uped as I saw him in uniform again the next year.  Still a party is a party.  Lets do it.

I’ve received another e-mail from Horst. I’ve also added their Web site to our list of links, and passed along the information he requested for Charlie.

Hello Bill,

thanks a lot for your (positive) answer. I will try to get in contact with Charlie Hess and inform you later of the outcome.. Do you have his tel. number or e-mail-address?

For your info here the homepage of the Traditionsverein Hohenbogenkaserne (=club of former german soldiers of Koetzting):

http://www.traditionsverein-hohenbogenkaserne.de

Best regards

Horst

This reunion with our German comrades sounds really cool.
I’m all for it.
Pivo

I think that is a great idea!  I would love it! 
Brother EU

Great Idea as I got to know quite a few of our German counterparts as customers of the Café in Kötzting. It would be great see everyone again.

Great idea, should be interesting too!!!
Les, look forward to seeing you in Rimbach. Too bad you don’t still have that Orange VW.

Larry Conner