to all asa comm unit vets odds and ends ll...

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TO ALL ASA COMM UNIT VETS

ODDS AND ENDS ll

1/29/09

Now here are two loyal ASAers — Pat and Tom Vanderhoof who sent me this photo at Christmas time. They decided on T-shirts in lieu of a tattoo.

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MISTAKEN IDENTITY: Some time back, Dan Thacker and I exchanged emails regarding Jim Blevins. When he sent me a picture of Jim, I said it was not Blevins as I worked with and knew him. I asked Dan if he could possibly mean Jim Bevins (no L). He said yes and that he wanted to contact him since Jim always loaned him his camera and men tored his growing interest in photography, which has continued to this day. I had seen a Jim Bevins on another ASA listing and gave the information to Dan. They exchanged calls and finally ended up reuniting after all these years. Jim, incidentally, still has the camera Dan liked to borrow. I told them they should have it bronzed. Jim recently contacted me and we have had some interesting phone calls and emails since. Here is one of our emails.

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Hi, Fred,

My name is Jim Bevins and I was stationed with ASA in Gutleut from fall of 1961 to fall of 1963. Worked in the relay center behind the I.G. building. I have been looking for Dan Thacker for a few years as I knew he was living in the Baltimore, Md. area. I have been having reunions with another ASA group that mainly worked the reports and data side in the Farben building. A few I knew by face but most have never worked with. I guess also we were living in different areas. A good group of fellows. We had last reunion in Seattle last year in June. A bit wet but still had a good time.

I was curious how someone got my name after all these years? It was a nice surprise to get a call from Dan Thacker and have talked to Mark Kraft the other night. Mark tried to send some photos by for some reason only have blank spots where photos are suppose to be. Plus he sent of locator roster by my system will not accepted it as it cannot find a way to process the data. Ones from Dan are coming in fine. Brings back a lot of good time memories that is for sure.

I got out of service in fall of 1963 and worked and went to IBM school. Ended up working a t the Rock Island Arsenal. In 1965 went to interview for a como job with government. It turned out to the CIA. Spent 28 years with them. Retired in 1993 and been working a bit part time for USIS as a security cleared monitor. Also fighting cancer which had moved to the lungs. A rare type and so far Chemo doing the trick. Only matter of time unless something found to arrest it fully. But feeling great now and enjoying camping and such. Still like to target shoot and use the 1903A Springfield rifle and the trusty M1 Garand. Gave up Sky Diving years ago and do lots of camping and travels both in the USA and over in Europe.

Let me know when you get this e-mail. I am not a PC wonder whiz but know just enough to be dangerous. Much appreciate your doing all this work. I will get my other ASA groups roster of those we know where they are a t and will try to pass them along to you. Who knows can have a nice size get it all together reunion some time. Also maybe get those without e-mail address to fire one up my way to pass on.

Okay Fred that's about all for this first time. Again much appreciate what you are doing and bye for now. C U L

Jim Bevin

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MEMORIES OF RENNER PATRIDGE (DECEASED)

Jim Cuson - I remember Renner Patridge falling asleep ON HIS FEET during a light failure in PCRS. He was standing between rows of k26s and when the lights came back on he was leaning against one bank fast asleep. I also remember shooting with him at the Rhine/Main rod and gun club where we both were members. Quiet, unassuming

Jim and Joann BevinsJim and Joann BevinsJim and Joann BevinsJim and Joann Bevins

Jim in GermanyJim in GermanyJim in GermanyJim in Germany

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and comfortable with himself, he was a nice guy.

Bill Lang - Attached are two images which include Renner Patridge. These were copied from my digitized 8mm movie film. The photographic quality isn't great. Renner smoked a pipe. He was fond of coffee. When we would go for a walk, we would have to stop at the mess hall so that Renner could fill his Thermos bottle with coffee. He would take a coffee break on a street corner.

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REMEMBER AFN ON MIDS?REMEMBER AFN ON MIDS?REMEMBER AFN ON MIDS?REMEMBER AFN ON MIDS?

Andy Jones —GREETINGS FELLOW ASA'ERS. I WAS LISTENING TO OLDIES THE OTHER DAY AND HEARD THE OLD INSTRUMENTAL "HARLEM NOCTURNE". DOES ANYONE BUT ME REMEMBER THAT BEING THE LEAD-IN TO THE AFN SHOW THAT CAME ON AT MIDNIGHT. I THINK IT WAS A RADIO REQUEST SHOW. STAN, I KNOW YOU ARE VERY PROUD OF JONATHAN. YOU ARE RIGHT, WE ARE BLESSED TO HAVE HAD THAT EXPERIENCE AND I AM THANKFUL FOR THE GREAT FRIENDSHIPS.

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Austin Adams —

Hello Andy, I am pleased to learn you are still listening to some of the Oldies like we used to do in Frankfurt. I did not remember the "Harlem Nocturne" lead in tune until I went into a music site, where I was able to pull it up & listen to it. I found a little more information that said that tune was from the 1940's. Most likely it was carried over from the soldiers from WWII. I recall Chuck Berry, Roy Orbison & Buddy Holly as being a few of your favorite artists. I also remember on a few occasions we would be allowed to listen to AFN over an intercom at the Comm Center when there was a big college football game or a Pro Football Championship game. Do any of you remember ordering a pizza which would be delivered to the Comm Center. I believe that was the best pizza I ever ate.

As you said, we are indeed fortunate to be able to recall & share these memories. Thanks for sharing, Austin

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LANNY REESE ON OUR MOVE DATE AND HIS TRICK

I found an old letter that I had written my parents on June 13, 1964, while on CQ. It was typewritten which is what drew my attention to it. In it I said that we were moving to the new barracks on June 29th. When we moved was a question some of us had wondered about. Also, were you there when many of us ordered coffee mugs with gold trim, ASA insignia, name and trick on them? Well, I found mine and it says DELTA/MAINT, so now I can be sure that was my trick. LOL

JOHN & SAMI LICHTI WHO NOW LIVE IN COSTA RICA

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year We had a great time in Europe but it was cold, unusually cold for the time of the year we were there. Sami fell and fractured her right arm. She is out of the sling and exercising the sore muscles after four weeks of not using them. I will send a few pics later as I have not had time to do much on the computer. Fred thanks for the ASA new email really enjoy them a lot.

John and Sami Lichti

THE RICH GUY & HIS CAR

Rob Sanders - First, I do recall the guy getting killed on the autobahn, I also do not remember the name. I think he was hit when he got out of the car in the trouble lane on the right, someone side swiped him.

Second, I have to agree with Jim and Woody, the guy you are trying to remember was Chris Perot'. No relation to Ross. His family inherited their money (if memory serves me) from A-1 Steak Sauce. It was a Jag XKE . I do remember because it was the first Jag I had ever ridden in. Does anyone remember L t. Bruce Cameron? He had an Alpha that he drove. Correct me here if I am wrong, didn't Chris Ford drive a Spyder?

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Bill Wingfield - Chris Perot, the wealthy guy who shipped cars, was part of the Heublein Family. Heublein makes A-1 Steak Sauce and I believe some pre-mixed drinks and may be involved in liquor imports as well. Look at an A-1 Steak Sauce bottle for the correct spelling of Heublein. That's the story as I heard it.

Fred's Note: I had always heard the guy was an heir to the Smirnoff Vodka fortune, which now makes sense to me since Heublein imported this vodka.

Dan Matthews - I was offered that Mercedes convertible for $800.00. I did not have $80.00 much less the $800.00. The guy who sold it worked in the Farben, I think. Does anyone remember Jerry Hollinsworth or Wes Terry.

THE BEER MUG INCIDENT AT THE ASA DAY PICNIC

Steve Conway - It was Wayne Powell who was hit by Jim DeSpain. The best fight was back in the barracks later (with the beer mug).

Toney Hogan - I don't know if it was Frost or not but I remember the MP's pushing someone thru the glass door a t the Maxim bar. The incident at the 1964 picnic was a guy named DeSpain hitting a guy from Rossville, Ga over the head with a clay mug. The Ga boy caught DeSpain in the break room that night and returned the favor. If someone had not pulled him off DeSpain they said he might have killed him. DeSpain spent the night in the hospital and I saw him the next day. Was not a square inch on his face that was not cut. Too many memories, too little time. lol

Fred's Note: I called Wayne Powell to get his recollection of the incident. He says Jim DeSpain was drunk and bothering Wayne's friend and co-worker, Oscar Rash. Wayne stepped in to get Jim to stop and ended up getting hit over the head with a Henninger beer mug. They took Wayne to the 97th General Hospital to get his head stitched. Instead of returning to the nearby barracks, Wayne returned to the picnic to pick up a beer mug. He confronted Jim that evening and proceeded to return the favor. Both he and Jim received Article 15's and three months loss of pay. Upon review by Major Pagel, Wayne's punishment was rescinded. He says the major told him he believed in the Biblical "eye for an eye" and that if it was him he would have killed the sob. I asked Wayne if Jim was an aggressive kind of guy. He said no, just had too much to drink and these things happen when you're young and growing up in the army.

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Dick Eller (Alpha) & Ron Radenz (Delta) a t the ASA Day Picnic with a Henninger beer mug (B. Greenberg Collection)

ON BOB BINN'S PHOTOS

Ted Stooksbury - Hi, Fred, I want to say thank you for the wonderful memories you have shared. I will send some material soon. I came across a letter I got from John Spratling back in 1964. He lived in Waycross Ga. a t that time. He mentioned he sold you his van when he came home. I sold my 1955 VW to someone when I left Germany in Oct. 1964. If anyone knows who this was, please contact me. Keep up the good work, your friend, Ted Stooksbury

Chuck Clarke - Wow......neat set of pics. Some different perspectives. Thanks. By the way Bob, this is Chuck Clarke who arrived Sept. 1962-Alpha. You taught me how to find and repair messages and the process involved with that. Truly many good memories of the guys of Alpha trick.

Bill Lang - I enjoyed viewing Bob Binn's collection. The images brought back many memories.

Austin Adams - Fred & Bob, Thanks for sharing the best set of pictures from our era that I have seen.

Your pictures have captured exactly the way I remember all those landmarks. It was great to re-live everything beginning with the troop ship & the first pictures of Germany & Bremerhaven.

Stan Koenig - Hi Fred I enjoyed your call immensely. Just hearing about you and your retirement and the memories of guys and life back then. The Bob Binn Photos brought me back to that wonderful time in our lives. I note that everyone is thin and fit. We must have been doing something right. Thanks again!

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Mark Kraft - Thanks for sending " Bob Binn's Germany-part 2 " pictures. As always, they were much appreciated, especially since I was in several of them. Geez, I could hardly recognize my baby-face self from yesteryear.

Bill Wingfield - Bob Binn's Germany brings back a lot of memories. Bob did a nice job in selecting his shots in that they are ones we can all relate to. I sure do enjoy them.

INTERESTED IN A CHRYSLER PRODUCT?

Fred, you might want to put this is a future email as someone might be interested.

Greetings ASA'ers: I retired from Chrysler Corporation and they offer a reduced purchase price for friends. I can purchase 6 vehicles per year for friends. You get the vehicle of your choice at 1% under dealer cost. This is in addition to all incentives offered by Chrysler at the time your purchase the vehicle. If interested I have to get a control number for you for the dealer when you purchase. If you do not use the control number it will be wasted so make the deal then I can get you a control number. I do not receive anything for this just a retirement check every month.

The process takes about 30 minutes of your time. I have to go to the Chrysler webpage and enter your name and address. They then will issue a control number at that time that I can email to you or call you or have the information if you want to wait for it.

Lester Williams [email protected]

Stan 'Take No Prisoners' Cusak in Washington visiting with son Jonathon who just became an FBI Special Agent in December.

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SOMEONE BESIDES ME WHO REMEMBERS THE TROUBLE CHANGING THE KW26 CODE CARDS

Bob Feller - Hi Fred. I can remember having to leave Dachsbau on several occasions during the 3rd shift and going up to the top floor of the Farben bldg; up those stupid shoe-box elevators, through gates and guards and then into a small closet-like room which housed a KW26 and Teletype equipment. Once I was there about 4-hrs trying to get cards in sync with the other end. We finally broke the rules and communicated by phone to get the numbers right.

Fred's Note: Trivia Question — who remembers the name of the moving "shoe-box elevators"? Answer: paternosters.

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NICE FIRST TIME LETTER FROM A FELLOW ASA VET:

Dear Fred You are doing a great job of collecting old memories for some of us old farts. Your info brings back many fond memories. When I arrived in Germany I was stationed in the old Gullet Kaserne but only for a short time .My wife came over and we moved to a apartment in a home in Bad Vilble about thirteen K's outside of Frankfurt. I missed out on most of the barracks get togethers and wild times. The first couple of months I did get to down town with the guys and had a few beers with the guys. I am sorry to say with age I can't remember most of the guys' names. I was on the same trick with Tony Steiert and Al Paton who was a virgin when he arrived in town and ended up being the biggest stud in the barracks. Also my good friend Richard Montgomery (nickname Monkey). He lived in Leadville , Colorado. I tried to find him many years ago while on vacation Leadville is a old mining town, so I went to the local bar in town and asked around and a gal said she knew him and he had a men's clothing store in a town not to far away. But we were traveling with another couple and on a time schedule and short on time so never did get to see him. Would love to make contact with him. Al lived in AL and lost track of him. Tony I still keep in contact with. I have visited him in Pennsylvania where he raises horses. I spent a week or so on his family's farm in Valley Forge PA while waiting for my car and wife to arrive from Germany. They took me in and treated me like one of their own. What a wonderful time I had there. I am having a hard time seeing the list of guy's that have passed away can you help me? I am not much with this computer stuff. I do remember Capt Weinberg and Sgt Ford E5 was on our shift, but not many more, Time and age I guess. Well for now thanks again for all your notes and info. Sincerely Spec 4 Gary Kassel I was discharged in Oct 1965. My address is 14745 Mandan Rd Apple Valley Ca Phone 767-242-2535

PHOTOS FROM LES WILLIAMS

Fred, am sending you a couple of emails with some pictures in them. After I got home from Germany and got married I found these pictures in the basement of a house where we rented for several months. They are very interesting and I am sure they are for real.

Lester Williams

Fred's Note: Les sent additional photos of the Dachau Concentration Camp, Mussolini's hanging, and other war photos. Some are graphic, so I did not include them in this newsletter because some of you without PCs receive this through grandchildren's email. If you are interested in seeing them, send me an email and I will forward them to you. Here are five of the sixteen photos, mostly of the Frankfurt area.

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Lester's Note: I believe this is in Frankfurt.

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Lester's Note: To the left of the building in the center and down the street was Gutleut Kaserne. There was a bar in the building and to the right and down the street was the train station. Been awhile but I believe that is the case.

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Here, laugh a little, we all need it!!!!

Someone had to remind me,Someone had to remind me,Someone had to remind me,Someone had to remind me, so I'mso I'mso I'mso I'm

reminding you too. Don't laugh.....i t is allreminding you too. Don't laugh.....i t is allreminding you too. Don't laugh.....i t is allreminding you too. Don't laugh.....i t is all true...true...true...true...

Perks of reaching 50 or being over 60Perks of reaching 50 or being over 60Perks of reaching 50 or being over 60Perks of reaching 50 or being over 60

and heading towards 70!and heading towards 70!and heading towards 70!and heading towards 70!

1.1.1.1. Kidnappers are not very interested inKidnappers are not very interested inKidnappers are not very interested inKidnappers are not very interested in

you.you.you.you.

2.2.2.2. In a hostage situation you are likelyIn a hostage situation you are likelyIn a hostage situation you are likelyIn a hostage situation you are likely

to be released first.to be released first.to be released first.to be released first.

3.3.3.3. No one expects you to runNo one expects you to runNo one expects you to runNo one expects you to run-------- anywhere.anywhere.anywhere.anywhere.

4.4.4.4. People call a t 9 PM and ask, did IPeople call a t 9 PM and ask, did IPeople call a t 9 PM and ask, did IPeople call a t 9 PM and ask, did I

wake you?wake you?wake you?wake you?

5.5.5.5. People no longer view you as aPeople no longer view you as aPeople no longer view you as aPeople no longer view you as a

hypochondriac.hypochondriac.hypochondriac.hypochondriac.

6.6.6.6. There is nothing left to learn the hardThere is nothing left to learn the hardThere is nothing left to learn the hardThere is nothing left to learn the hard

way.way.way.way.

7.7.7.7. Things you buy now won't wear out.Things you buy now won't wear out.Things you buy now won't wear out.Things you buy now won't wear out.

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8.8.8.8. You can eat supper at You can eat supper at You can eat supper at You can eat supper at 4 PM.4 PM.4 PM.4 PM.

9.9.9.9. You can live without sex but not yourYou can live without sex but not yourYou can live without sex but not yourYou can live without sex but not your

glasses.glasses.glasses.glasses.

10.10.10.10. You get into heated arguments aboutYou get into heated arguments aboutYou get into heated arguments aboutYou get into heated arguments about

pension plans.pension plans.pension plans.pension plans.

11.11.11.11. You no longer think of speed limitsYou no longer think of speed limitsYou no longer think of speed limitsYou no longer think of speed limits

as a challenge.as a challenge.as a challenge.as a challenge.

12.12.12.12. You quit trying to hold your stomachYou quit trying to hold your stomachYou quit trying to hold your stomachYou quit trying to hold your stomach

in no matter who walks into the room.in no matter who walks into the room.in no matter who walks into the room.in no matter who walks into the room.

13.13.13.13. You sing along with elevator music.You sing along with elevator music.You sing along with elevator music.You sing along with elevator music.

14.14.14.14. Your eyes won't get much worse.Your eyes won't get much worse.Your eyes won't get much worse.Your eyes won't get much worse.

15.15.15.15. Your investment in health insuranceYour investment in health insuranceYour investment in health insuranceYour investment in health insurance

is finally beginning to pay off.is finally beginning to pay off.is finally beginning to pay off.is finally beginning to pay off.

16.16.16.16. Your joints are more accurateYour joints are more accurateYour joints are more accurateYour joints are more accurate

meteorologists than the nationalmeteorologists than the nationalmeteorologists than the nationalmeteorologists than the national

weather service.weather service.weather service.weather service.

17.17.17.17. YouYouYouYour secrets are safe with yourr secrets are safe with yourr secrets are safe with yourr secrets are safe with your

friends because they can't rememberfriends because they can't rememberfriends because they can't rememberfriends because they can't remember

them either.them either.them either.them either.

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18. 18. 18. 18. Your supply of brain cells is finallyYour supply of brain cells is finallyYour supply of brain cells is finallyYour supply of brain cells is finally

down to manageable size.down to manageable size.down to manageable size.down to manageable size.

19. You can't remember who sent you19. You can't remember who sent you19. You can't remember who sent you19. You can't remember who sent you

this list.this list.this list.this list.

And you notice these are all in Big PrinAnd you notice these are all in Big PrinAnd you notice these are all in Big PrinAnd you notice these are all in Big Prin

for your convenience.for your convenience.for your convenience.for your convenience.

Forward this to every one you canForward this to every one you canForward this to every one you canForward this to every one you can

remember right now!remember right now!remember right now!remember right now!

Remember the next one:

Never, under any circumstances, take a

sleeping pill and a laxative on the same night.

Fred GerstnerFred GerstnerFred GerstnerFred Gerstner

to all asa comm unit vets odds and ends ll...

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