Question: Would you welcome a return of Americans to WTA?

[E. Wiske]

Hallo!
I was reading the article below and wondered if you all in Wildflecken and the surrounding area would welcome a return of American army troops if the US could be convinced it was a good idea?

I used to work for a US congressman and have been writing to Pres. Bush. He's been very open to what I've had to say, but I wouldn't suggest the idea unless I really knew that people there would be accepting of the idea.

I welcome your replies.

E. Wiske.

[cvey]

Hello!

I think in this case you have to see two (or even more) sites:

The one is: For the commerce in our region it would be profitable. It always hurts if you see the empty builduings in WTA.

The second site is: The things Mr. Bush did and is doing especially in Iraq are not o.k.. If you see the terrorism all over the world against US citizen and army and their ally it's maybe not an so terrific idea.

Best regards

Christoph
Schönau

[E. Wiske]

yes, I understand your concern. We here in the US have been concerned about Iraq too, even from the very beginning (and we are retired US military!)

But I actually think that the stronger the stand we all take in standing together, the less the jihadists can actually do. (I actually helped turn one in...it's just a matter of standing up to them!)

Those who are now attempting these feats can only move forward as they believe that we fear them. Having gone through Sept. 11 over here, we found that we would rather die than give up. And that makes one lose their fear. And without fear, the troublemakers can gain little ground.

I read that the city of Würzburg does not want to lose its bases...the US has been happy to pull bases out if that is what the host countries wish. And in fact, the top planners at the Pentagon have really been talking about changing the strategy entirely and moving troops into Poland (as I'm sure you are aware).

I guess I had a couple of thoughts about that. 1) That sort of move seems to upset the Russians, who think that we then are "too close" to them-and I don't think it's good to alienate the Russians, 2) The facilities there, to be able to support active units would have to be upgraded quite a bit, so it would be more costly, 3) For me, having lived in Germany and at WTA specifically, I was concerned for the welfare of my German neighbors and so thought it was good that employment could be provided, but always wanted a nicer Post atmosphere (we left Germany before any of the new family housing, etc. was built, we left in '79.)

Considering that the new housing is just sitting there, wouldn't it be better all around if the US put that same upgrade money into the Post at places like the WTA and put some units there? I think the atmosphere among the troops would be a better one than had been there previously, as there is now more of a feeling that "we all are in this together," and that as long as we all stand together, there is less danger to any one of us.

I must admit that there was a lot I didn't like about the Post as far as its "rowdiness" (much as many of the Germans did not) and that is why we lived off-post our entire time there (and we were officers). I guess we were a bit unconventional, but a lot of other people I know, would rather have done that too, if they could have.

But everyone here as in the military has a much more sober approach to life these days. I'm thinking that the atmosphere there would be much quieter than previously, and thus, much more positive for all.

What do you think?

[E. Wiske]

Doesn't anyone have any input on this issue? I'm surprised...

As far as Iraq is concerned, I guess I think that Germany and Europe should really make a clearer stand with us.

When Germany needed rebuilding, we were there after both WWI and WWII...when will that favor be returned by Europe?

And yes, I do think it is a favor still owed...

After all, that is what allies do: help one another and stand together against foes.

The attached image is one I received in the email a few days ago...a lot of Americans feel this way...

[Geri]

Hi E. Wiske,

Sure I would! Would be great! I love the idea. Talk to your President

What you wrote about - US had being there after WWI ist a laugh. There was no american Influence exept Wilson - wish didnt put the Versailles Kontrakt to a good End (in fakt it was the beginning of the end).

There is so much to say about WWII .... one thing is - its one of the worlds biggest mistakes that History made Sowjetunion to a Superpower. That is - one side of the coin for sure.

See you and like the diskussion. My English isnt good enough to tell all my toughts ... so I enjoy reading

Geri:-)

[Gast]

Oh - one more thing. About Iraq. There is so much Propaganda all over the world. There is kind of neosocialism - Europe - Propaganda. And there is an American Kind - of whatever - Propaganda. The truth is probably between all the Extremes. I - for myself - have no doubt with american Politic (there is only one more guy I know - near Berlin (he was in Jail in DDR because he had an "Beatles"-Tattoo), he loves the USA - he`s jobless an Mr. Bush would love him:wink: ). Its politic for american People. There is Terrorism and its Dangerous. And/But I needs intelligent Solutions. A little of old european Experience - and a little american Power and Determination.

CU
Geri:-)

[Heinz]

This is a nice picture you posted there. I'm sure a lot of Americans think like that. Unfortunately the patch saying "doing the work of...." is simply untrue. I know that the media in the USA doesn't care too much about news from Europe. I used to be in the USA several times and the papers or the news in TV seldom talked about what is going on over here.

The truth is: The German Army has deployed several thousand soldiers either in Afganistan, in Bosnia, in Kosovo, the German Navy is permanently present in the sea east of Africa to stop the delivery of weapons to or from Afganistan.

The German Army is at this time guarding ALL and I repeat once again ALL bases of the US-Army, Air Force and other facilitys such as housing-areas!! This started when the deployment of the US Forces to Iraq began and will go on as long as the the war on terror will last!

If you have a slight idea how much bases the US still maintains in Germany, you might be able to figure out how much German soldiers are doing "favors" for the USA every day.

I'm an active reserve-soldier of the German Army. We do a lot training with our American friends over here. Please believe me, a US soldier, stationed over here in Germany wouldn't like the picture you posted obove - because he knows that it doesn't tell the truth and he and his family knows that there are a lot of favors done to our American neighbors theses days.

[Heinz]

Well, having the Americans, or at least some of them, back in Wildlflecken would be a blast!!!

It's true, when the US left WFL, they left a completely intact infrastructure, with new and upgrated housing, both for single soldiers and especially for families.

Instead they kept posts like Schweinfurt, where in the 1990s they had to spend millions of dollars, earned by the American tax-payer, to reach a level which already existed in WFL.

In my opinion, the plans moving US bases to the east have died. It would be to expensive and bring no advantage. And General Jones plans to move all the families back to the states and rotate the troops into Germany and out on a one year bases...??? Gen. Jones is a Marine and he talks and thinks like one! I was talking to some US soldiers about those plans. Most of them told me, if this is gonna happen they wouldn't reenlist and it would surely prevent a lot of young guys to join the army at all. That might be the difference between the Army (and especially the Air Force) and the Marines. They at least want to have their family around.

By the way, I don't think Rumbsfelds force reduction in Germany will take place. At the present so many units of the US-Army Reserve and the National Guard are on duty in Iraq and Afganistan - this is a job for the active Army! Kerry said in the Army-Times, he plans to call more troops on active duty which is he right way! Maybe the 8th Infanry Division will then be activated again - you could station one ore two battallions in WFL then, as it was in the 1980s

If the Americans want to return - they will have a strong support in the area and espectially mine

Heinz - webmaster of http://www.comrades.de