The Berlin Wall

mojaveman · 11-08-2009, 12:54

Tomorrow will mark the 20th anniversary of the begining of the fall of the Iron Curtain. It began with the dismantling of the Wall by the ordinary citizens of East Berlin. When I was watching the event on television two decades ago I had difficulty believeing what I was witnessing. Anyone who served in Europe during the Cold War can remember what it was like back then and can probably identify with the magnitude of that historical event. I didn't participate in any of the armed border operations and wasn't stationed in Berlin but did spend some time in Stuttgart. It still stirs me everytime I watch the old news reels of those common people hammering away at the barrier that denied them their freedom for so many decades.

dennisw · 11-08-2009, 13:44

http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2009/...l-anniversary/

Quote:

but it still stirs me every time I see the old news reels of those common people hammering away at the barrier that denied them their freedom for nearly half a century.

Unfortunately as the above article mentions, the One does not share your emotions. It's somewhat unfathomable how he could not attend. Perhaps we are beginning to zero in on who the One really is. Perhaps Zero should be his anointed integer. In the editorial section of today's local newspaper there's a quote from his address to a crowd in NY at a fund raiser:

Democrats are an opinionated bunch."he said to much laughter and applause. "You know, the other side, they just kind of - sometimes-do what they're told. Democrats, you all are thinking for yourselves."

To appreciate the event, one needs to understand history, have a sense of compassion and enough imagination to generate empathy with all those who were in servitude. I guess it isn't so surprising now.

**The Reaper** · 11-08-2009, 17:27

It already looks like the Ft. Hood memorial service will be scheduled around The One's demanding golf schedule.

Certainly no time to go to Europe and admit that Reagan and the capitalists were right, and the Commie loving socialists were wrong.

TR

Dozer523 · 11-08-2009, 20:57

In 1968 I was 12 YO and living in Nuremberg Germany (Dad was assigned to the 1-94th FA, 4th Armored Div.) We took the Troop Train to Berlin. The train departed after dinner and took all night. We were in sleeper compartments where the seats turned into beds and the wall sort of pulled out. A porter came and made up the beds. (AMTRAK has nothing on European train travel!) The first thing I remember was waking up in the middle of the night, and going into the hall and watching East Germany go by. Each rail crossing had a guard post. I'd wave, and the guard often waved back. . . as long as they were alone. The second thing I remember was walking along the wall and seeing the memorials to the East Germans who had been killed trying to cross. Fresh flowers and pictures. Very graphic for a 6th grader. Third thing was taking a tour of the city and part of it was on a lake. That part of the border ran through the middle of a lake seemed so odd. Our boat was shadowed by a similar small boat. One of the East German guards dropped his hand to the water-line and waved to me. I started to raise my hand and Dad said, "Don't do it, he'll get in trouble." Last significant memory was passing through Checkpoint Charlie (leaving Dad behind, he wasn't allowed to go) and visiting places in East Berlin. It seemed very dingy and parts were hardly repaired. We visited the Soviet War Memorial. It was amazing and it seemed so "in your face, Germany".
The wall seemed so permanent then. When I went back in 1979 on AD I had no desire to return to Berlin. But I did see the Inter-German Boarder (IGB). I looked at that and knew it would always be there until the Soviets knocked it down on their way to Frankfurt and Bonn.
Ten years and a two new Presidents (but I give all the credit to President Reagan) it fell like cards to civilians.
Last thing, it is so appropriate that a section is located at the Reagan Library.

f50lrrp · 11-09-2009, 10:23

My dad was stationed in Bad Kreuznach at the 8th Division HQ. In 1961 I was attending BKHS and playing football. One of the teams that we played was Berlin American HS in Berlin. We had to travel from the Frankfurt HBF to Berlin overnight and when we got to Berlin, we were put up in Army Barracks that had an olympic pool situated with the barracks that we stayed in.

The highlight of the trip was touring the "wall" that was under construction. I managed to kick it and take home a souvenier piece of the wall.

lindy · 11-09-2009, 11:15

Some good 20 year old breaking news:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnCPd...ature=featured