SCHNEEBERG MEMORIAL
(PHOTOS ARE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE.)
.
... today is a day of mourning.
Ed Railsback
....TODAY A PART OF MY PAST WAS DESTROYED
... GOODBYE OLD FRIEND
... REST IN PEACE SCHNEEBERG
DAMN!
LAST LIVING VIDEO CLIPS - DETACHMENT SCHNEEBERG
PHIL WARD 66-67
1. Bill Morris playing "Young Girl" on the jukebox the first day it got put on there. He must have played it 50 or 60 times, and wouldn't let anyone else get to it to play something else.
2. Poker games in the EM club.
3. I saw the Blue Buddha one night on Schneeberg; may have been the chemical assistance.
4. Grommet cook.
5. I went to bed one night to the radio broadcasting that Robert Kennedy was the projected winner of the CA primary. I woke up to that same radio the next morning, to the news that Kennedy was dead.
6. Cold rain and snow (didn't the Dead have a song by that name?).
7. Most of all--friends. Good people. It's a joy to know that many of you are still around!!
Farewell to the ops building, but not to the joyful memories!
Collie Leroy
Thanks for letting me know. I haven't been back since I left in '67 (one wife and lot of years ago) . Really sad when I think of watching 16mm movies in the day room and listening to Shadow fart ( he did clear the room a time or two). Who knew a fart would bring back memories. Sigh!
Dan Malcom
I'LL MISS THE BERG
Oh Scheeberg my friend you were surely my home
Nights in the guard shack, trying to stay awake
Days in the icy huts when I'd shiver and shake.
Around the space heater with my head wearing cans
Wanting to get off & hear the local DJ bands.
Spinning and gisting the words from the noise
Hotel Klinovec was my station of choice
Movies in the dayroom, laughter in the hall
Jokes we played on one and all
Friendships in Reissmann's, and Sloopy's too
Spades and Hearts, Asbach's was my booze
Bindlach runs- Class VI, PX, and mail call
Driving to Augsburg just to play football.
Driving in snow and sleet and rain
Det House now just memories - Auf Wiedersein
Sandra Aultman
Wow!
Tears in my eyes when I saw this. Guess progress must move on.
Jim Hopewell
"Hutch" Hutchison 67-68
Hi Phil, Yes it's a sad day. I lived in the ops building for a while. It was really convenient on those frosty, snowy mornings. I didn't have to walk up the hill early in the a.m. for the start of the day shift, but when the cabin was enlarged and modernized some of us had to move back down to the cabin.
I wonder why they didn't consider making a gasthaus or bier stube out of it. It seemed of pretty sturdy construction. I was surprised to see that apparently there was still some electronic equipment in there. I got a kick out of Dan Malcom's quote about my old buddy Shadow's flatulence.
Shadow used to come down to the cabin on cold winter nights before it was modernized and thanks to the German type door handles was able to open the outer door and the door to our room and let in the cold winter air. I was usually the one who got up to close the doors and put more brickets in the small coal stoves we had to keep warm . . . brrrrrr!
Boy, it is really a rainy and foggy day in Bisch and on the hill, very apropos to the demolition I would say. Typical Schneeberg weather though.
Paul Miller SB 1957 - 1960
Thanks so much. Although never actually stationed at Det J, I visited there many times, both on and off duty, from Herzo and communicated (tty in those days) daily. It was, at least in my memory, a great time (1967-1970), although they certainly were different times from what anyone could possibly experience today. You are doing a great job keeping those memories alive for those of use who served back them. I really appreciate it!
Ted Armour
Many thanks for letting us know about about the razing of the Schneeberg ops building, and for the photos. This looks like the real end of Det J-1. I am glad to have revisited the mountain in June 2001.
Hail and farewell, but keep this fantastic website alive.
Sincerely,
Basil Clark
1962-1963
From: Larry Cole
Date: 2004/09/24
Phil, thanks for e-mailing the pictures. I spent time in 1966 and 1967 at Schneeberg. In fact my last assignment for 90 days in 1967 was at Schneeberg before I was scheduled for discharge. I was also at Hoherbogen in 1965 and 1966. Thanks, also, for keeping us up to date.
Larry Cole
Phil: I was never there... I spent my whole tour at Rothwesten... BUT, thanks for the tour anyway. I really enjoyed it. Guess you can never go back...
Suds, Dog & Charlie 1960-62
I wintered at Schneeberg - fall '62 to spring '63 between two summers in Rimbach.
The movies in the movie room. What classics we saw! The Frankie and Annette beach movies come to mind.
Then there was the guard shack which reeked of tobacco, and the picture of JFK on the wall.
Ed Sachnik
Thanks very much, Phil, for telling us all about this--and for all the wonderful work you do with this website. I never would have expected this at the time but some of the best memories from my nearly 61 years on this earth date back to the time I spent (from August 22 to December 18, 1968) up on that beautiful mountaintop and the towns nearby. Best regards to all of you!
Owen Christianson (Chris), Minnesota
Regards,
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Phil, Thanks...I guess...for the photos. I spent five good, hard years of my life there. My first son was born in Kulmbach, my wife and I spent the first two and a half years of our marriage there, we were there long enough for my son to get his first haircut. I remember one winter when the antenna on top of the tower was blown off. It just missed the aluminum building we used for operations.
I
remember my first drive up the hill. It was a winter day just
after an ice storm. A good two inches of ice covered the forest,
with a sprinkle of snow for effect. The hard freeze had
crystallized the snow on the ground, so it was sparkling like it had
it's own power source. I was so awestruck, so grateful to have
been sent to such a beautiful place. That feeling never wore off.
Every season had its own beauty.
What
you call the Ops building, we called the Det House. One winter, we
had a storm so bad, the front of the building was snowed in. The
swirling snow had blocked the back door, too, so one of the lower
ranking guys (of course) had to climb out of a second-story window to
work his way down and around to dig out the back door, then we put a
crew in front to clear the front. It was always fun, too, when the
snow got deep enough to dig tunnels instead of clearing walkways. My favorite days were when it was overcast below, but our peak was above the clouds. It was so awesome to look out over the sea of clouds, looking at the other "island" peaks in the distance. As far as events and people, Dickens said it best, "It was the best of times. It was the worst of times." And I wouldn't trade the memories for the world.
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Saw the pics in the Nordbayerischer Kurier. Sad that so many things come to an end.
Gene Looram
I really enjoyed the film clips you just sent out.
It is kind of curious that it appeared that they were doing some interior work on the stone building when you were there and then they completely leveled it this month.
Jerry Shipley
(Jerry - Yes it is curious. My wife Anita, who comes from a long line of Volga Germans, when learning of the demolition said " .... isn't that just like the Germans to clean something up before they tear it down.... " Go figure! Phil)
Phil:
Losing Schneeberg’s buildings must be like going blind. It’s all still there; look in your heart, because you just can’t see it with your eyes anymore.
The site, powerful as it was, wouldn’t even rate a footnote if not for the shades of those who brought it to life. All I have to do is start with one name, and I’m there again… and again…
Tom (“Topside, Clerk”) Mara,(Standing in front of his locker in the back bunkroom in the ops building behind the orderly room: Let’s see – what will I wear today? I think I’ll put on my green suit.”), John (It’s dat ol’ dope smoker’s cough…) Kelliher, Terry (Well, here I am – You got any peanut butter?) Von Diest, Chuck (Duty Bod) Arnold, Sepp, “Dilly” Dalen (The Porn King), “Flapper” Ellis, Alcide (You’ a Fox) Gray, Lester Cruse, Billy (X-150) Bunn, Bubba (Marathon Squat) Clark, Fred (You’re fat and bal-ding!) Haack, “J. Fred Muggs” Kramer, “Papa” Knowles, Larry “Spastic Man” Nelson, Jerry Mallin, Jan “Chicondis” Chapel, Lt. John (Peachfuzz) Stevens, Cpt. Larry “Chopper” (God Bless ‘im) Chartier, 1st Sgt. Gary E. (Bark Bark, Mad Dog – Bite-‘em-in-the-ass) Magner(R.I.P.), William Penn (But that’s absurd…) Tilton III, Rich Hill, Baby (Please don’t shit on the pool table again) Huey, Gabe (STRAC) Acosta, Pete (“Ican’t bare it”) Sandoval, Wally (Ushi) Price, Jack (Jumpin’ Jack Flash) Ordway, Crazy Cook, Carl Huddleston, Bernie “Buns” (I’m all tied up right now) Hannum, SSgt. William S. (Shitley) Whitley, Nero Dog (aka Shithead - lya-lya-lya) & on and on.
Please, God, don’t take our memories away…
Auf Wiederseh’n.
Greg “Fat Jap” Skinner 68-71
Can't yet bring myself to look at the pictures of the ops building reduced
to a pile of rubble. I had often hoped that someone would turn it
into a gasthaus. That I could handle. It would have made a
great place for cross-country skiers and hikers to stop for a snack and a
beer or two, ala the See Haus. The pictures you have posted on the web
site are how I want to remember where I spent three of the best years of my
life. And what made it that way were the guys we served with.
Til next time,
Bill Evans
To Bill Evans and Paul Miller -
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Thanks for the memories! Sad to see the old place go - but the memories
will live on. I was there 1975 to 1977 and l got to go back in 2001 for a visit. My time there was unforgettable and the friendships made were priceless....
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Thank you so much for the work you have done. It saddens me that I have not been able to get back to B-gruen. I was planning on it, but things have happened here on my job that have made life challenging.
I was
with Gene Looram's group '76 to '78.
Randy "Bomber" Bombardier
Thank
you for the photo-requiem of Det J, now dead physically but still alive in
spirit because of the people who crossed paths there. It was my home from
April to December 1970 when I was transferred to Det K to continue Cz
transcription until March 23, 1972.
Among many memories are spinning out a suburban on a trip down the hill to
pick up the German guards one frosty fall morning, a miracle 360 with no
damage, Bill Bunn letting me use tools to replace the starter motor on my
red and black Opel coupe in the vehicle maintenance shed, Al Gray goovin'
at Reizmann's to "Young Gifted and Black" on a one man mission to save
German femininity from provincialism.
Joe O'Connor, Chicago
Thanks for the photos! I had a few trips to Det J from Herzo between January '66 and December '68 on my first tour to Germany. My first trip up was delivering furniture for Jack Ordway as I remember it. My next trip was September '71 to February '75 at Bad Aibling and Augsburg. My next trip was September '78 to August '82 in the 326th. Made a few trips up as a platoon sergeant and Ops Sgt. My last trip that I'm sure of was the winter of '81-'82 with my 1st EW Plt. Some of the young troopers could not believe the snow we saw on top. Thinking about Schneeberg as I looked at the photos brought back many memories of my 26 plus years. Thanks again!
Tex Luhrman
Bavaria
'66-'68/'71-'75/'78-'82/'86-'90
Phil, "Visited" Schneeburg a few times while assigned to 326th ASA Co in Augsburg from 74-76. Thanks for the memories!
David Blazek
Schneeberg - Back to Nature ..... Click here to view Newspaper Article.
Mike Grube (Web Master http://www.lostplaces.de)
Hallo,
ich finde es sehr schön, daß Ihre Gemeinschaft so zusammen hält, so das
selbst nach 10 Jahren noch Treffen statt finden und sich selbst Menschen,
die nicht auf dem Schneeberg "spioniert" haben für die Seite
interessieren,.....ich als ein Einwohner/Bewohner der Fichtelgebirgsregion
finde es auch sehr, sehr schade und
traurig, daß die Gebäude einfach abgerissen wurden,
verwunderlich finde ich es zudem, das die Gebäude leer standen, aber für die
Bergwacht eine neue, (expensiv) Hütte gebaut wurde,.....nachdem in unserer
Region seit ca. 10 Jahren schon in vielen großen Firmen und Fabriken die
Lichter ausgehen und die Firmen Bankrott gehen, bekam ich als ich die
Webseite www.schneebergvets.org mal wieder besuchte richtig "Gänzehaut", als
ich die Bilder vom Abriss sah und in der Zeitung Kosten für die "Renaturierung"
genannt wurden, aber Naturschutz ist nun mal wichtiger als Denkmalschutz,........
jetzt fahren erstmal für mind. 4 Wochen Bagger und LKW`s über den höchsten
Berg des Fichtelgebirges,.....tja Naturschutz geht vor,......
an anderen Stellen der Region Fichtelgebirge hatten Burgen und Schlösser 400
Jahre Zeit, um zu verfallen,...... was will man dazu sagen,.....besser
nicht`s!
Grund für meinen Besuch auf der Webseite war ein Zeitungsartikel in der
Frankenpost über den Abriss der Gebäude auf dem Schneeberg. Ein
Telefonanruf beim LRA Wunsiedel, bzw. Naturpark Fichtelgebirge, weil ich
mich für den Stein mit dem Siebenstern 1951 intressierte um Ihn als Menier
aufzustellen führte leider auch zu nicht`s. Mit dem Abriss der
Gebäude stirbt für mich wieder mal ein kleiner Teil unserer Region mit dem
ich aufgewachsen bin. Im Frühsommer war ich im Bayerischen Wald, um
noch einige Bilder von den Anlagen auf dem Hohen Bogen zu fotografieren.
Bei der Sache die mittlerweile am Hohen Bogen, bzw. im Bayerischen Wald
aufgezogen wird, wo Sessellifte und Berggastwirtschaften gebaut werden, ist
es kein Wunder, warum unsere Region immer weiter hinten bleibt, aber da kann
man halt nicht`s machen,.....
eine Gaststätte, oder eine Berghütte hätte ich mir auf dem Schneeberg auch
gut vorstellen können,.....
Soetwas bekommt aber nur der Schwimmverein Hof,....
aber bei uns kommt erst das Vieh,....dann der Mensch.
Demnächst stelle ich Ihnen eine Sammlung von Bildern zur Verfügung, die ich
am 03.Oktober 2004 auf dem Schneeberg aufgenommen habe,....
Viele Grüße an Leni und Al Murdock
Michael Hein
Holy
cow!! Didn't think a few pictures would rouse
such longing for times gone by. I'm so glad we went
up the hill this summer. I guess it gave the whole
episode some closure. Thanks for all the hard work
on the site. I just wish more guys from my era would
check in. Oh well.
Carl "Pit" Peters
This is
the most touching memorial to bricks and mortar I've ever seen! Being
in real estate and dealing with foreclosures and old properties in an old
city like Milwaukee, I get to see a lot of demolition. But reading these
memorials ... these memories ... it's the unique people .. that unique 50+
year era of German/Americana that we all got to experience that made that
place so special and such a Godsend to most who were fortunate enough to be
stationed there. I too can still see " Bill spinnin' around in his barstool
every time I hear "Young Girl". (I still like the Union Gap yet too) ... And
Hutch, I remember that Saturday you got that letter. .. There were so many
of us that were
learning to deal with emotions we didn't even knew we had, because we were
all young then. We're older now, the buildings .. old too! The memories "
Forever Young " ... Thanks Phil for the work you're doing!
El
Jarvis .. '67 - '70
CommCenter.
I was at
Schneeberg as a 98G just before and just after the Czech invasion in 1968.
Damned if I remember much up there except the tower and the no-see-'ums, and
small wonder, so much was I up to when I was off the top. Even 12-and-12's
afford you opportunities that are hard to ignore.
We were on TDY from Wobeck (hi, Chris!). Frank, Jerry, and I lived in the
Alte Post and hung with Opium, Lisele, and der Forstmeister. Residents
initially imagined that we were were shock troops sent in to defend them
against the Russians, since we were packing our helmets, M-14's, and
bayonets. Only later did they realize why our cars were always warmed up and
pointed toward the setting sun. It wasn't really because of the Russians, of
course -- we were afraid of our own artillery at Herzo.
I recall once going into a city official's office in Weissenstadt as
translator for a visiting antenna guy who was caught taking pot shots into
the forest on the road up to the tower with a big old pistol he had just got
somehow. The Germans didn't like the idea that big lead slugs were chewing
up their wood, but everyone was bending over backwards for us. I kept
saying, "Er ist nicht bei uns; er geht schnell nach seiner eigener kaserne,"
and the guy got off, providing he left town the next day.
David Trollman, President
Link Associates
This is
the second time I have looked through all the video clips and read all the
messages. Thank you so much, Phil. I remember you on your CZ
position
(it was very hi-tech compared to the Russian or German positions) and I on
my Russky missions, and the late night conversations and learning the
Braille alphabet from the dictionary (only outside book we had in the
Ops Bldg.) I had a handle bar mustache then and lived in
Barnreuth above Bad Berneck. Memories
rush in: my son was born while we were there; living with the Catalano's in
a centuries old farmhouse; Sgt. Hill, the diddybop guy that came in on tdy;
the snow - my lord we had snow that winter of '66-'67; the NCOIC that didn't
have a clearance to come into Ops but tried to help by shaking the ice off
the
antenna guywires and then the antenna crashing through the Ops roof.
The rush of memories are as clear in many ways as they were 37 years ago.
Someday I am going to take my son and his son to Kreis Bayreuth to see his
first home and were his Dad worked. I am so sorry they tore it down
before we could make
that trip. God bless you all for your remembrances.
John Callahan, Sp5, 98G2L63
I was stationed at Herzo
from 1962 - 1965. Made several trip to the
mountain. I remember my first trip when the clouds and fog were so thick
that I couldn't even see the mountain. I just followed directions and made
the proper turns and in my little red VW started up hill. I don't think I
could see 20 fret ahead. Finally, out of the mist, the gate came into view.
Capt. Larry Medlin was site Co at one time, and also Lt. Bert Haun.
Thanks for the memories.
Bob Doehrman
Herzo and Det K1 (Coburg)
Harry Whitehead
Detachment Schneeberg 1986-1990
I was proud to
be the NCOIC of Det-S (First to know, First to glow) in
1983. Robert Smith (one of 3 greatest men I've ever known)
was OPNS NCOIC. Harry Morgan was our #1 Mess Sgt. SSG Perriman, Sgt Farmer -
darn good RU 98Gs. SPC Livingston was a commo dude and I can't remember his
SSG boss. I have tears listening to My Old Friend. I have a videotape
of the place taken in about 83, can't remember if the Trojan Towers were up
yet. I'd be happy to make copies and send to all who are interested. I
have a lot of time on my hands now.
I forgot one important item. In the
summer of 1983 (I believe) the OIC, 1lt Kyle Rogers and I decided to open
the site to the locals so they could visit the Backoeffle - Alten Turm. The
line was almost down the entire mountain. For about three months no Det
Schneeberger could do any wrong. Mayor of Bischofsgruen was our
biggest fan. Got a few free meals at the Goldene Lowe (remember the
raspberries flambé?). Looking at the photos with the music is killing me.
Mark D. Kotanchik, 1SG(ret)
Saw the pictures of Scheeberg for the first time today. A flood of memories rushed back to me. Broke my heart. So many fond memories now lying in ruins. Spent many moons in and out of Schneeberg as a 98GCX with the 326th out of Augsburg during '80-'86. Also have fond memories of Gene Looram, Dennis Holck, "Stretch" Morgan, Sandy Johnson, among others, partying at Reisman's, living at Dunker's, working long cold night shifts in the huts, dodging falling icicles from the tower and warm breakfasts in the det house. Wow, I know exactly how everyone must feel about those times. We are extremely lucky to have had those experiences.
Still holding back my tears. All the best, Jim (SGM, RET).
James R. Velez
US Embassy Jakarta
