US Military Bases in Germany - How Do Germans Feel About It?
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- Опубліковано 16 тра 2024
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👉 It’s 2024 - almost 80 years after the end of WWII. And the US still has over 35 thousand troops stationed in Germany in more than 20 US military bases. How do Germans feel about that?
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0:00 Intro
1:01 Why does the US have troops in Germany?
2:09 Number of US troops
4:31 Ramstein Air Force Base
5:50 Economic impact & legal situation
09:07 What do Germans think about the US military bases?
12:19 Main criticism
13:34 Opinions & experiences from my German followers
28:41 What do YOU think about this?
29:17 More opinions
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ABOUT ME: Hallo, Servus, and welcome to my channel! My name is Felicia (Feli), I'm 29, and I'm a German living in the USA! I was born and raised in Munich, Germany but have been living in Cincinnati, Ohio off and on since 2016. I first came here for an exchange semester during my undergrad at LMU Munich, then I returned for an internship, and then I got my master's degree in Cincinnati. I was lucky enough to win the Green Card lottery and have been a permanent resident since 2019! In my videos, I talk about cultural differences between America and Germany, things I like and dislike about living here, and other topics I come across in my everyday life in the States. Let me know what YOU would like to hear about in the comments below. DANKE :)
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What are your thoughts on this topic? 🤔
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I was stationed in West Berlin from 1970 through 1972 in the US Army. I really enjoyed my time in Berlin, going out on the town whenever I wanted to in the evenings. I really mixed with the Berliners when I hung out in coffee houses, etc. I was able to go visit the East as a US Army soldier and the difference of the West vs the East were quite obvious. I got to travel on vacation in areas of West Germany and Bavaria. Twice a year our soldiers traveled through East Germany from Berlin and then down West Germany to Bavaria to the US Army Training Center in Hohenfels for training. We got to shoot our guns at the range there. Now, the 1970s was during the Cold War and there was always a threat and I think most Germans appreciated it. However the Vietnam war was also being fought at the time and I met several Berliners who disapproved of that war. To be honest, I did as well, but then I was in the army so I kept my feelings close to me.
@@heyboyer I was a liaison to the East Berlin Soviet Army twice as a US Army soldier in the 80s when we were on the brink of nuke war. I was stationed in Kitzingen, lived in a house in Willanzheim.
I would really prefer that American forces move to bases in Eastern Europe.
@@chriscummings4206 move us home would be better. You all act like we need to stay in Europe, ,ews flash, we don't.
Are you ever going to make a video about, what it's like being married to an American?😂😂😂
I‘m german and grew up near an american military base in the 80s. As kids we sneaked through the fence onto the training area and asked US-soldiers: „Can I have a MRE?“. These were the only english words we knew 😀 We always got one and loved the ones with peanut butter. 😅
Awe that’s cute haha
today kids could ask Paul's caffeine bars :D
When they had Reforgers in 1978 to 1983 training a simulated war driving our tanks through the towns I love to see the people, the towns and the sights. When the training ended / index I always collected the remaining leftover C-Rations and toss them to the kids in each town we happen to pass by. I trade with them for Spatci, brotchen, shinkin, kasa at times. ect. I still have some wonderful pictures to remember them.
That's so cute, and in the same time child abuse 😄. What sane human being would torture child with MRE 😅
Considering how many of them we have and troops' relative dislike of them, I'm surprised they didn't get a forklift and drop a whole pallet over the fence for you lol
I was stationed in Germany from 1991-1995, I was treated so well by the Germans that I learned the language and stayed another 8 years as a civilian. I am happy i had the chance to serve in Germany, some of the best times in my life! To this day Germany is my 2nd home.
I was there the same time I even got married to a German, although I brought her to the states on a trial basis First time she went shopping she decided she was staying in the states
That's then no now, get over it!Germans are anti American !
Germany (and all of the west really) have been annihilated by international jewry. The European peoples are being exterminated via mass migration and race mixing propaganda... from the moment they leave the womb they are conditioned and educated to act against their own interests, against their race, against their culture and civilization. Europe must awaken.
I want to have a conversation with you
Sie sind jederzeit Willkommen. Danke für Ihren Dienst, Sir.
It seems like a lifetime ago. I was stationed at a base in Bavaria, I thought I'd found my groove. I loved my time and experiences. Married a local, became fluent, got out, moved to the states, had a kid, returned as a civilian and got divorced.
Das ist das leben.
Schade
wait. divorced in the usa or here after moving back to germany?
I was stationed in Germany in 2019- 2022 and it was a very good experience. After lock downs allowed more free movement, I was able to travel and go to many of the festivals. I loved shopping at the German grocery stores, and the prices were less than on the bases, and the food was better for you. I studied history as my major in college, so being able to go out into areas of Germany and the rest of Europe to see the areas that I studied was amazing.
Dear Feli
I am a 64 years german (Bavarian) and I have been working for the US Army for 36 years as an civilian employee.I am working a under german working contract including german working rights. For 36 years I am learning every day about the USA, the people and their way of doing things.Now still today some things are strange to me, but I do love MY americans.
Great to hear this!! We love our German friends/ colleagues too 🇺🇸🇩🇪😄
Awesome.... I'm American and love Germany, it's people and my partly German heritage 🇩🇪🇺🇸👍
Dankeschön, David. 🇺🇸💛🇩🇪
Hohenfels?
@@miguelcomas3157tent city 🥶 1976😂 cav recon ❤
I was stationed at Ramstein (USAF) from 83-86 and were told that Germans respected the Air Force more than the Army...and the older Germans appreciated Americans more than the younger generation. As a matter of fact, during our indoctrination about our "new" country, we were taught the phrase "Ich bin Luftwaffe" which meant "I am Air Force" so the locals would treat us better. As far as the bars, we knew that some were predominantly German, some American, and some welcomed both - and we respected that...after all, WE were the visitors. I always thought Germany was a beautiful country and I still miss German style windows.
Good points but having been there during the same period I had the opposite experience. The younger generation was much more accepting to us although I did meet more than one frauline who that all military Americans were cold blooded killers, 🤣
Thank you for your service, sir. Du bist klug(you are smart), for realizing you were the visitor.
I was in Wiesbaden and later they moved us to Sembach....heard then that Germans wanted Air Force to stay in Wiesbaden and not have Army cause they thought Army were bigger problems
I wonder if you knew my dad, Ray Martinez in AMMO. My family was stationed there at the same time.
I was in Vilseck/Graffenwoehr from 98-2001, by that point the younger generation 18-30 liked us... for the most part. The bars we were warned about were generally frequented by young Turkish people, it wasn't that they seemed to dislike us more than any other nationality, it was that Americans that got in fights were finding out that Turkish guys weren't likely to fight 1 on 1 and were getting sent to the hospital. I knew of a couple bars that got put on the do not patronize list because of too many of those kinds of fights. I still keep in contact with some of the German guys I used to know. They introduced me to many bars and clubs that Soldiers generally didn't frequent and were a lot different than the ones just outside the gates. They also invited me over for dinner and we had them invited them to cookouts when they were had off post.
Oh and I also miss the windows.
Feli mentioned the Bundeswehr - I actually met members of the Bundeswehr stationed in the USA. A lot of Americans don't know that there are small contingents of foreign military stationed in the US. (German at Fort Bliss, TX, and Fort Belvoir, VA and also British at Fort Eustis, VA that I'm aware of).
Doubt it
@@Brekstahkid What is there to doubt?
NATO regulations require comprehensive training in other countries to improve cooperation. This might be things like flight training, "combined arms training" for Army members, as well as very friendly sport competition events in various countries that are either NATO members or somehow NATO related.
That's facts, when going through ait at fort Eustis in 2006, there where students from saudi Arabia, Greece, Philippines there.
Germany Has a base in the US
Wow - this video is fascinating on so many levels. Thank you so much for producing.
I was a US soldier stationed just south of Munich from 98-01. I loved my time in Germany. I learned to speak German while I was there, and I met and married my wife of over 24 years now. Some of my fondest memories are of being a young American in Bayern, going to all the seasonal fests, clubbing, driving through the Alps, and visiting the many castles in the area. The local economy took a big hit when the base closed in 2004, and many of the locals were not happy about it. The Americans and the Germans in that area had formed deep friendships and everyone was sad when the end finally came. It was akin to losing a family member. We still try to visit my wife's family there once or twice a year. Great memories! 🍻
I was at Hahn AB in the Hunsruck region 1981-83. It was estimated that there were 250,000 US troops and the same number of dependents living there at that time, so a half-million Americans. We had enough school districts there that they held high school sports tournaments that you could get the scores in Stars and Stripes.
Germany needs to follow the French example.
@@Alboalt I was at Zweibrucken AB just south of you in the late '70's. Same there.
@@jcheck6 F-4s at that base, just like at Hahn (until 1982, when it got F-16s), right?
I was in Bayern south of Ulm in 68-70. My son was born in Ulm. Some of the best memories from that time.
I was stationed in Germany in the early and late 80s. I was in tanks and they were kid magnets. When we were maneuvering around the countryside as soon as we stopped moving for any length of time the kids would come up to us. We would give them candy from the MREs and stuff like Chem lights, rank pins and other small things we had handy. If we knew we were staying for a long enough time we'd give them money to buy us stuff from the local stores. The kids were incredibly honest and always came back with the stuff and our change. One kid I remember came back with a sack full of sausage, cheese, bread and coffee that he had taken from his mom's kitchen. He insisted on giving us our 20 marks back and seemed really happy with the camouflage hat my tank commander gave him. We joked that we hoped it made up for the butt whooping his mother was going to give him when she found out what he'd done.
Nice story.
I was a tanker in 3rd AD in 85-86, thanks for sharing.
Great story. Good times! I was a 19D Cav Scout in the 11th ACR in Fulda in the mid 80s -- thanks for sharing!
They love their panzers.
His mother probably gave him the food to give y'all and told him to give you back the marks.
I am the son of an American Army officer and was born Heidelberg. Later, in the early sixties my family and I lived in Berlin and Frankfurt. It was a wonderful experience for me.
My father and I visited Munich for the 1972 Olympics. One day in the main stadium, I heard someone shout out, "Amis raus!" A moment later, someone else called out, "Aber noch nicht!"
Later I joined the American Army and was stationed near Nürenberg. I made several German friends and had a great time. On Reforger maneuvers on the German countryside I waved at and spoke with thousands of Germans. Almost all of them had at least a modestly friendly response. Only a handful of them frowned or shook their heads.
I very much enjoy your videos. Drink a Hefe-Weizen for me. Hopefully a Tucher, Spaten, or Paulaner.
Ha Tucher! I haven't thought of that beer in decades.
I was born in Canada and grew up beside a Canadian Forces Base with a strong and ever present German military presence on the base. I think that there are many places around the world where allied countries have shared facilities.
I was also involved in a number of Allied joint training events in Canada. They included Canadians Americans, German, and Britt. It was always an awesome experience being able to train with folk from other countries. The more we spend time together the more we realize that our similarities outweigh our differences!
I'm an 80 year old retired U.S. Army officer who lived in Heidelberg from '78-'81 and remember my time in Germany with great fondness. I thoroughly enjoy your videos and have been a big fan ever since I discovered you on UA-cam. Keep up the great videos!
2:07 There 80-81, while there were still WW2 POW survivors around from the former Soviet Union. Most germans accepted the military presense as necessary, although it was often a burden. American military wives on the autobahn in the passing lane doing double nickels was the extreme example. The younger crowd was more indifferent. I guess my impression is it was mostly accepted as necessary for the times.
When I was in the Army, I was very fortunate to travel to Germany to train with the German Paratroops in Oldenburg. Many of us received the Schützenschnur award, German jump wings, and the GAFPB. Their troops were very welcoming and friendly to us. Top tier Airborne all the way.
We had a German sister unit we'd train with, and would exchange Schutenzschnur and U.S. training. I loved the German bluntness, and yet the warmth and sincerity behind their friendship once we'd formed genuine bonds. That was my first introduction to German culture and my family's heritage. I'll treasure that forever.
First time seeing your content, done very well. I spent 3 months on Ramstein as a visiting US contractor and fell in love with your country. Great video and good conversation.
Thank you for the video. I was an US Army soldier stationed in Baumholder from 89-91. From my perspective I enjoyed being there and the people, food, culture were all big parts of that. I know my fellow soldiers all felt the same about the people. I was happy to say I was stationed in West Germany, traveled to East Germany; and left a reunified Germany. The Germans whom I interacted with were all friendly, positive, and all quick to note my last name being German in origin. I speak with several of my fellow soldiers even today and we all reminisce and talk foldly of our time there and often talk about going back.
As a Veteran who was stationed in Katterbach for 2 years and married a German woman, I can say it was some of the best times of my life. I absolutely adore Germany!
I worked on Katterbach from July 94-Sept 97. Great times and my favorite dury station! How did you like your housing?
@johnbailey3351 the barracks definitely left a lot to be desired! I was stationed there November, 2001 - March, 2003. Went to Carol's night club, Gazebo bar and so much more. Absolutely great times!
thank god for backwater, huh?....(cool sarcasm).....lol@@user-qr6eb4jg9n
Katterbach ‘89-‘92.
Marrying someone after 2 years. Doesn’t seem wise
We were USAF stationed in Bitburg, Germany from 1983-1987. It was stressed to us to be respectful to our host country, learn German, and enjoy the rich history. Though living in a foreign country was difficult at first, I love Germany and STILL am trying to learn the language. Nothing but love from me to the people of Deutschland!!
Germany (and all of the west really) have been annihilated by international jewry. The European peoples are being exterminated via mass migration and race mixing propaganda... from the moment they leave the womb they are conditioned and educated to act against their own interests, against their race, against their culture and civilization. Europe must awaken.
I was at Bitburg (Jet Engine Shop) 1983-1989, Howdy from Texas
Was stationed Bitburg 84-86 then Spangdahlem 89-92
@@apegues, @alanc9623 I probably served you both some time or other at the NCO Club
I was a dependent who graduated from bitburg in 2014! Hello from Georgia
I recently found your channel and very impressed with your content. Your facts and research is very thorough and well presented.
I look forward to experiencing more of your content. Thank you for sharing.
Very good topic for discussion. I'm originally from the Philippines. With big US Military Base, they help the Philippines against Chinese aggression.
Enjoy living under our boot.
You know what country never invaded and occupied the Philipines?
@@wolfgangkranek376 lol enlighten us who supposably never invaded the Philippines? It helps if you spell it right too.
@@craighanson-rc1md If you are not able to draw your own conclusion, then you wont get it, regardless of how it is written.
On a sidenote: I've never met an intelligent person that started a comment with "lol".
But many halfwits.
@@wolfgangkranek376 lol that's the best you could come up with? Oh how insecure you must be.
Awesome video, Feli! As a US servicemember recently assigned to Ramstein AB, I can tell you my family and I loved our time there! We didn't want to leave. We elected to live in a village that was more German than American to intentionally attempt to become valuable members of the community. If interested, I'd be more than happy to dispell or prove some of the comments you received when you asked this questions originally. Tschuss!
My dad served in the army for 22 years and we spent 3 years (1996-1998) in Würzburg when I was in 7th-9th grades. Nothing had a larger impact on my life than living over there, being immersed in the culture and learning the German language. We were grateful for the opportunity to live in someone else’s country and call it home for a few years. We very much respected seeing and hearing different viewpoints on issues, immersing ourselves in history and culture etc. it was the greatest experience one could have as a child/teen.
Sounds awesome. Glad you had a nice stay.
I was in the Army stationed in Mainz from 83 to 85. I loved it so much. Two of the best years of my life.
I spent two years in Germany from 1981 - 1983. At first I was stationed in Mainz at what was Lee Barracks then. Then our battalion headquarters relocated to Rüsselsheim at what was then Azbil Barracks. Both Mainz and Rüsselsheim were very nice, lots of places to eat German food. My battalion had companies in several locations like Bremerhaven, Giessen, and Fürth. Our group headquarters was down in Kaiserslautern and our Command headquarters was in Oberursel. I went TDY to these locations so much during those two years. i had the opportunity to attend the NATO School down in Oberammergau. Oberammergau is a beautiful town in a valley. I'm 71 now but I would love to return to Germany this time with a digital camera and visit all the places I went while stationed there. The building in Rüsselsheim where our battalion headquarters was is now the Obermayr Europa-Schule.
Thank you for this. As a former military member (USAF Ramstein 1990-1992, then again in 2002) I really enjoyed being in Germany and I am so grateful for their kindness and hospitality. These were one of the best years of my life. I return the favor to this day, if I meet someone from Germany in a restaurant or bar, they will not pay for their dinner or drinks. It is my pleasure to give back for the kindness I received.
Does your screen name indicate that you are a fan of the Big Lebowski?
you only look like your in your 20's i call bs
Germany just a puppet state, and this one in the video isnt pure blood german but some arabic-turkish
It is GREAT that the Americans are still in Germany teaching them democracy, tolerance and multiculturalism. The American should stay there at least one more century. Without the Americans there, the nazis may control Duestchland again. You see how misguided were Germans by the nazis and some are misguided nowaydays by the neo-nazis. Having the American bases there is GREAT. The Americans, the Russians and the English made an enourmous sacrifice during Worl War 2 to destroy the nefaurious nazis. The Germans must be thankful for the sacrifice these countries did. GOD BLESS AMERICA.
@@kieranbrien3989 XD you have to be joking
I was an Army Brat in Frankfurt from 1974-1977. I loved your country, the people, the culture, the travel opportunities, the food, the forests and wrote a book about my time there, (coming out Dec. 2024) called, "Out of Place." I was a young teenager and my time in Germany changed my life forever and for better. Thank you, Feli for your excellent channel and continued understanding and bridging of people and understanding/appreciation of German culture.
Great episode, I spent 10 years in Germany in the military and I am going back soon. I love my time there and try to speak as much German as I can.
Noticed your callsign, I used to fly AME out of KADW as a Reserve X4NO and was deployed to Ramstein and Rhein Main during Desert Storm, in fact when they found out I had a civilian EU driving license and could speak some German they made me a duty driver transporting ACs from downtown hotels in Frankfurt to the 2AES at RM (I lived at the Frankfurt Marriott for quarter of a year on per diem).
Viel Glück! Aber lass die Waffe bitte zuhause ja!
Good luck and welcome! But leave the gun (pic) at home, please!😉
It’s really interesting to read all the comments from American vets/soldiers who have been stationed in Germany in the comments here and it warms my heart to see that perceptions have been so positive for the most part. Whatever one thinks of foreign military basis politically, I hope we can all agree that hate for individual service members is wrong and that we should treat one another with respect and dignity. I personally think the bases are mutually beneficial for both countries.
how is it a benefit for the US? how much good could we do if every dollar spent on ramstien went to interstate repairs or school lunches or medicaid? If europe is so scared of putin, let them fight him of in ukraine with their own factories and tax dollars and recruitment instead of demanding we do it for them. $50 billion aid package is more than a lot of NATO members spend on their whole military in addition to the forces we already have there.
My dad was in the Air Force and was stationed at Spangdahlem AB from 90-95 (I was 9-14). Was among the best years of my life. For about a year we lived off-base due to lack of on-base housing and our German landlords Maria and Helmut were so kind to us. I'm so grateful for all I got to see and experience there and I still miss it almost 30 years later. Such a beautiful country with great people. Wish I could go back.
I live between Trier and Spangdahlem
Are you familiar with the Puzicha's? My blood family lives there. How about the Pohl's?
@@kevinmcdonald8049 There’s a lot of people called Pohl around here. The chances of me knowing your family are slim when there’s 100,000 people just in Trier city with a ton of small towns and villages all around too. Why don’t you look them up in the online phone directory? You just need their name and address
I lived there from 9-14 too, but at Hahn AB from 86-91. I feel the same way.
I was stationed at spangdahlem AB back in 1975, loved it there.
I was stationed in Wiesbaden at the USAF hospital in the center of the city from 1972 - 1974. I found everyone very friendly and helpful. I bought a pretty expensive 10 speed bicycle and a friend and I took a 30 day bicycle trip before I left. I worked with Germans, Turks, Irish. It definitely expanded my view of the world and looking back on it view it as a 2 year paid vacation.
Hello. My dad is retired USAF. Pop was stationed at Wiesbaden from 1973 to 1974, he worked in the hospital. We lived in Russelsheim
Wow thanks for occupying our country! So brave!
As a German, please excuse comments like the one above (if deleted: thanking you for "occupying Germany"). That person is an idiot. We have those in Germany as well, of course. From my point of view: Thank you for your service.
I had an enlisted friend at the Hospital Rod Rodman (yeah name sounded bogus) he had a British Girlfriend ....was there 75 to 77
WAS STATIONED AT THE USAF HOSP TOO. 1986-89. Great times in Weisbaden and Linsey AIR Station.. great nco club and the LINDSEYFEST every year in JUNE? civilians were allowed on the base. big beer tent on the parade grounds, fun rides, cotton candy and food. loved my time in Deuth land
Hi Feli- I lived near Rammstein along time ago, it was the best of times. Germany is an amazing country. Thanks for your thoughts.
I was a member of BAOR (British Army of the Rhine) for about 7 years on various tours between 1966 and 1982. My tours saw me serving in Krefeld, Bielefeld, Sennelager, Munster, Celle, Wildenrath and Berlin. Very happy tours and a great deal of job satisfaction. Served as part of an American unit at one point, 3 British amongst about 300 Americans. Also served alongside the Bundeswehr.
When I first arrived there was well over a hundred thousand British forces in Germany. Spread mainly throughout Westphalen.
There was some friction particularly between young German males and younger British troops but by and large very few of us felt significant antagonism from Germans. Naturally there was a number of British troops who found their wives in Germany and this resulted in a number of Anglo-German kids. I actually joined the Army in 1966 and amongst the hundred or so of us in my basic training there were a few half German lads who joined the Army. I know one of them served for years and then decided to join the Bundeswehr - he rose quickly through the ranks and ended up as a high ranking officer.
A few years ago I took my American wife (ex USAF) on holiday and it dismayed me on arriving in Celle (a lovely, pretty, friendly, comfortably compact little town when the British garrison filled the town) to find the town centre dead/empty. On going into a gasthaus which I used to go to a couple of times a week back in the 70's and fell to taking with the owner. He informed us the town was dying as more and more British left. They felt quite protective of what he called, "Our British boys". He said financially they were missed but the most important thing was the town was full of laughter and fun when the British were there and now not so much. He would not accept payment for the drinks my wife and I had. He said his feelings were it's the least he could do to show his gratitude toward the many thousands who had moved into and out of Celle over the years he had owned the pub.
Another who was still working in what was my barracks in Berlin only now for the German government, told me he always felt safer in Berlin knowing the British/French/Americans were there and as he'd spent most of his adult life working for the British and formed friendships with Brits even having visited some of them in the UK with his family whom he had worked alongside, he missed them. He said they were always up to some mischief and making fun of him and with him. He said his life was not so much fun since he started working for the German government.
I still see Germany as my second home and my wife agrees that if we were not so content with our lives in the UK we would look to move to Germany. I owned a house just outside Dresden for years. I'm now retired and my wife will retire next year. There is no longer any thought of moving to Germany but we visit from time to time and each time I feel I am going home.
I don't particularly like large cities but the only place I served where I felt Heimweh for after leaving was Berlin. I lived a couple of hundred metres from the Olympic Stadium and life was exciting, comfortable and fulfilling. We've been back a few times and I had to swallow back the tears when stood outside my old apartment.
A large number of the people I have worked with in the years since leaving the forces have also been ex servicemen/women. In all those years I have only ever heard one ex soldier who said he did not enjoy his time in Germany.
Fond memories.
P
I enjoyed reading that. Cheers
I lived in Westphalia as a kid in the early to mid-80s and one of my earliest memories was that of British tanks rolling parallel to a highway we drove on. I can't really remember where it was, but probably Herford, where 4th AD sat at the time. I'm quite happy that the British are returning now to Gütersloh.
@@UrsusMaior I suspect those few who are fortunate to be able to go and sample life in Germany are going to be delighted with their fate sir, especially the married ones able to take their famiies with them.
It was a cost cutting decision by a variety of British beancounters who refused to see how keeping an active, ready and prepared prescence in Germany would not only end up saving money but saving both Britain and Germany the time in deploying those assets in an emergency which of course would result in the saving of lives eventually.
A really stupid decision by the British government. Gutersloh used to be an RAF base along with Bruggen, Wildenrath (army and RAF - I spent a couple of years at Wildenrath), Laarbruch, Gatow
Glad we have helped to put a smile on your face, hope your fellow Germans are as happy as you clearly are. Take care - we may be small and poor here on Monkey Island but we are a ferocious offshoot of the Saxon clans and we will always stand alongside Germany in time of need and only a fool would underestimate us.
🎶"Ich habe Heimweh nach den Kurfürstendamm..." 🎶
My nephew currently serves in Germany. His family is there, and his son was even born in Germany. He hopes to get a UN posting after his service ends. He absolutely loves Germany, and is proud to call it home
My brother is currently stationed in Germany at the Vilseck base so this was quite interesting for me thank you!
Feli this documentary was well organized and informative. I actually learned a great deal. 23:20
I was born and raised in Germany. Both of my parents are Mexican American so I was forced to go to school off base. So it was very hard on me to understand the language at first for 17 years. I live in the US now. I miss Germany everyday. 🇩🇪
Home is were the heart ❤️ is. 🇩🇪
And then we basically have the opposite: me, someone's native language is German, forced to be in school on base with only speaking English, and then eventually end up moving to the US and no longer being able to speak German fluently anymore.
@@soIzec It's like riding a bike i recon. Give it a couple of beers and a week and you'll get there again. At least it went like that for the kid of a scottish friend who grew up in Germany for 6 years when he was little. Came back with his then gf and got a job. About a week later he was fluent-ish again. Heavy accent though ;)
Does United States is operate Farris barricks.
Does United States is operate Farris barricks.
My aunt and uncle lived on base in Germany in the late 70’s. She still
talks about her time there with great fondness!
Greetings! My father served in the US Army, met my mother while stationed in Germany, and eventually I was born. They always joked that I was made in Germany but born in the US.
Unfortunately I don’t have many memories of the US bases anymore as I was super young at that time. But even after my father got out of the Army, we traveled back regularly to visit family. One fond memory was that every summer I would often see many American families at the larger outdoor pools.
As a whole, I’d say that having the bases in Germany were a blessing. It made me possible and also allowed me to experience a different culture that I likely would not have ever experienced if not for my father being stationed there and meeting my mom.
Although I’m finally going back in a few weeks, it’s unfortunately to bury my grandmother and aunt.
Hey Feli, I am live in Cincinnati too. My brother is in the Air Force and has been stationed in Germany for a couple of years now. He met a German girl there and they both came here to Cincinnati to celebrate Christmas this past year (a month ago). I was very nervous to meet someone from a different country and culture as I don't really travel a lot. She turned out to be, well, just a normal person. She spoke great English and we all hung out a lot and had a lot of fun over the week or so they were in town. By the time they left, it felt like I had known her for a long time, much longer than just a week. Anyway, thought I'd share, it seemed relevant to this video's subject.
lol i did think it was funny one of my best friends a Koster. a German exchange student came over and was dating him in Iowa City. the one thing she did that WAS a tad bit.. diff to me was... she thought it was fun to drive the walmart handicap wheelchairs around... LOL.... otherwise nothin peculiar. lmao
Miss the Army travel office in Berchtesgaden, great trips to Königsee and the Salt Mines that were conducted by extremely nice German girls.
@@arthurolson8922 This is kind of a story which is quite often told by the post war German generation that American soldiers liked German Fräuleins :D. The Germans made quite a bit of money from it by opening bars and restaurants close to the main American army bases and travel hubs. :D
When I was 19, I lived in Berchtesgaden. I worked in Konigsee on the bobsled track. That was in 1973-74. I'm 69 now. I studied German for 2 years in high school and 1 year in college before loading up my backpack and heading to Germany. I also had a brief job on a farm near Hannover. I went to Germany to become fluent in German. I remember after getting off my flight, going to the big train station nearby. I was actually surprised that everyone was speaking German! And at that moment, I realized that I needed to use my German fast. I had to find my train to take me north to Munster, I think. Then I hitchhiked to my job near Bielefeld. I grew up near a small rural in northern California. I had never been on a train before, maybe once on a public bus. I hitchhiked all over Germany, and road an incredible number of trains after buying a student rail pass. While living and working in Berchtesgaden, I never did become fluent in German. The dialect there was hard for me to understand, but everyone could understand my German. It was so euphoric living in that mountain town. Sometimes I walked to work in Konigsee, took the bus occasionally and hitchhiked too. It was truly a glorious experience being there. I've been back a couple times, and visited the "little" friends I had there that I would go ice skating with at the outdoor rink in town. I rode the sleds, luge, down the bobsled track several times. It was too scary for me. When the US team was practicing there, they offered me a position on the 4-man bobsled - they needed one guy. I turned it down. Way too dangerous. People got killed doing that! John - California
@@rewschreijewschrei Odd - there sure are handicapped people in Germany, yet we don't have those scooters (that's why it's novel to a German). Maybe something else is going on.
I am a 78 year old veteran of the US Army. I served in Goppingen, 4th armored division headquarters for 2 years 66-68. Loved it my son was born in Stuttgart and we lived on a farm Near Hohenstaufen Mt. The people were wonderful to us and we enjoyed visiting all the places in Bavaria. Including your home town during October Fest. Almost forgot, we spent 5 days on the Czech border when Russia invaded Czech republic. Waiting for orders to go in and help.
I was stationed in Göppingen in 1971 as a medic in the Dental Clinic! Loved the area!
А я думал, советская пропаганда врала про возможное вторжение США в Чехословакию.
I never really gave this any thought before , but as usual a very well thought out exposition .
I was stationed in W.Germany from 81-83 as a Military Policeman. Giessen, Augsburg, Munich, Chiemsee and Berchtesgaden. It was amazing. I only got kicked out of one restaurant for being an American serviceman because they thought I might cause trouble. Our parking lot got blown up by the Bider Meinhoff gang. I listened to older German Veterans talk about how the "snow won't stop us next time." while practicing archery in the mess hall by candlelight on Christmas night in the old SS barracks in Berchtesgaden. When I joined, I thought I knew everything. My last assignment in Germany was working with the Munich Police at Oktoberfest where I realized I was clueless and I needed to shut up and enjoy the ride. Thank you Germany.
The Beider Meinhoff terriost group was either in prison or dead by 1977. You need to get your facts straight. I remember we they struck Lee Barracks in Mainz. I was on motorpool guard that night and was stationed at the post in Wackerheim just
@@dagerryAs soon as the ussr gets beat they turn on each other again lol
@@dagerry The Brits had such plans: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Unthinkable
Patton had said something to that fact as well.
My dad was stationed at Stuttgart in the 70s and I graduated from high school there. I went on to join the Air Force myself and was stationed at Spangdahlem AB near Trier. I absolutely loved the time I spent in Germany. I hope someday to go back for a visit. The German people were so friendly and kind. The memories will last forever.
I went to Stuttgart HS in Ludwigsburg .. 70-72 .. Class of 74 Lived in Nellingen (no longer there) and also in Ludwigsburg (I think its called Kornwestheim now .. Our High School was in Pattonville .. It's Erich Bracher Schule now ..
@@acsxfan1 oddly enough, I was also class of 1974. We lived at patch barracks from 72 to 75. Small world!
I served in Germany in 1971 stationed in Dolen Barracks in Swabisch Hall Hessental. I hope to back with my wife in the summer of 2024.
I'm a Canadian whose military family was stationed in Germany twice in the 1960' and 1970's, for nearly 8 years total. I lived in Hemer (near Soest) and in Lahr, Schwarzwald and those are still some of best times of my childhood. Canada closed their last base in Germany in the early 90's I believe.
Being stationed in W Germany when it united with E Germany is definitely a highlight of my life. Loved Dexheim.
My Dad was in the US Army and was stationed in Germany during the early 60s. He was an MP, and worked with German law enforcement at times. He loved the German citizens, he loved their culture, their beer, food, and the beautiful towns and villages. It was one of the best times of his life, and he had a lifelong love of Germany and its people. He also mentioned that the locals always took a liking to him because his last name was 1000% German (Weimer) lol, and they viewed him as a "long lost German" who ancestors left for America in the late 19th century lolololol .... they'd always point to his nametape on his uniforms and say "You are German!" ... thank you to your country for giving my Dad such a wonderful experience!
Germans are special.The U.S knew that.
I have gotten this kind of thing in the U.S. ironically tho. from Muslims who had been to Germany. many of them the second they met me. would light up and glow with eyes so loving i was just like "whats with this woman/man?" but older i get the more i know they just spiritually knew. :) Also helps in Spirit I'm married to multiple Muslim women so. they love me very much, maybe it was their spirits letting them know. I'm Family. haha
@@adspurThat's what the Austrian painter thought. Right up until near the end when he realized the Alman's had dropped the ball on him 😎
This story made me cry a little. It stirred me.😢
I mean, depending on what part of the US he was from, they may not have been that far off.
I'm a medically retired US Marine (97-09) and was wounded in Afghanistan. Ramstein AFB was where I spent nearly a week before being flown back to Walter Reed. But the German contractors there were awesome and helped be dodge the dietary restrictions doc tried to enforce! 😂
Good for them! what does your doctor know anyway.
I was working in the OR at Landstuhl in 2007-09.
Hey,I was flown to Ramstein AFB in Sept-2006- ( spent 3 1/2 months there )from Iraq,we got hit by a-MEAN-ambush while on routine patrol ( we were from Camp Anaconda ) lost 8 of my friends from that ambush. After my recovery,I was sent back to Ft Hood,Tx to my rear-d unit.This was my 2nd straight deployment to Iraq,my first was in 2005 at Camp TQ ( it was a Marine FOB then ) I was with an infantry unit from the Texas Guard ( I volunteered for 4 deployments to go fight in Iraq ) my battalion was at TQ and our brigade went to Tileal,Iraq. There was also a PRC unit at TQ ( a marine reserve unit ) and we had to use some of their marines to complete our missions.We had 12 KIAs and 8 people severely wounded from our battalion and no replacements. I volunteered to go to Iraq because I was bored working my 2 full-time civilian and wanted a-REAL-challenge filled with-DANGER.So off I went to Iraq and don't regret it,at all. SEMPER-FI
Were you at Ramstein AB or Landstuhl Regional Medical Center? That’s the large US Army hospital just 2-3 minutes from Ramstein. As a contractor out of Hanscom AFB, MA, I spent a couple of nights in Landstuhl in 2011 while I was working on a project at Ramstein AB. They weren’t sure if they could take me being only a contractor but I was so backed up I ended up vomiting into the triage doctor’s trash bin. They found me a bed soon after that realizing I wasn’t joking about being in the middle of a major Crohn’s flare that closed off my intestines. That was the first time I had an NG tube placed up my nose and into my stomach to act as a vacuum cleaner and clear me out.
@@Nerple I'll have to check the paperwork to be sure. I was pretty doped up the whole time. I had a bullet hole in each leg so I didn't get around a whole lot. From what I remember the building I was in was pretty much right next to the runway just past the hangars. The personnel were a mix of Army docs and Navy corpsmen. What I remember most was doc had me on a damn liquid diet in case I had to be put under for surgery but one of the nurses, a contractor named Anja snuck me in a grilled cheese sandwich and a big ass pack of peanut M&Ms. 🤣😂
I served in the US Army from 1984 to 1986 and was stationed at Mainz-Gonsenheim. The people were cool, the food was great! But I regret not having gotten out of the barracks more often to experience more of such a great country with amazing history.
It”s really great to hear the feedback. I never thought unkindly of the German people. I flew into Hahn AB, Spagdhalem and Ramstein. . All of my visits were filled with positive experiences. I think that Germans are respectful and thankful for our presence.
What a fascinating video Feli, danke! It was cool to hear what Germans really think about us, good, bad or indifferent.
I was an Army brat and my dad was stationed in Germany twice, I went to Kindergarten in Neu Ulm and junior high in Nuernburg. I learned to ski in Berchtesgaden and went to the Christkindlmarkt in Rothenberg ob Der Tauber.
I joined the Army and was stationed there myself twice. The first time in Baumholder where I met my Frau (aus Kassel) and Schweinfurt. I drove with my buddy from Baumholder to Garmisch to go snowboarding on the weekends. I traveled all through Europe from Germany. Both of my daughters were born in Deutschland, are dual citizens and speak German. Oma was just here visiting us for Christmas. Germany is a huge part of my life and I consider it a second home. Ich liebe Deutschland!
I want to have a conversation with you
My Mom taught for DoDDs and I was there ten years. Kid me loved going to Rothenberg.
One of the things I've noticed from U.s. Army Brats who grew up in Germany, is a respect for Germans, and an appreciation for German culture. This can only help to bring our countries closer together.
A lot of us Army Brats have german moms like myself 😁 so yeah I love my german culture. I'm fully german/american to my core.❤
Yeah, after you blew up our infrastructure.
@@jennywells416 thank you.
brats will not bring germany and the u.s. together
Now if only you wouldn't provoke wars in our neighbourhood and destroy pipelines.
Feli, your presentation skills are outstanding.
Awesome information Feli,and welcome HOME!!!
I cried after we came back to the US after living in Vilsek for three years, on our first tour. We also lived in Henrried when we were stationed in Hohenfels for two years on our second tour. I would have stayed in Germany forever! My youngest of five thought she was German because she had lived there most of her first seven years of life. She was very upset when I told her she was not German, but half Hispanic! We all LOVED our time in Deutchland. I hope to go back one day.
Can you go back after finishing service ? Why not ?! I am a German but j live in FL over 30 years . Don’t know if I can ever live over there again . the US has so many beautiful places too. Right now the situation is not good and I am worried for my Family over there . Love the bread and cakes so .j have Aldi here where I live thank god 😁a little Germany especially on the holidays Stay safe
Come back whenever you want - but without US-Army.
I am an Army Brat. My father was in the US Army, and we were stationed in Frankfurt, Germany for 2 different 'tours'. I was born in 1978, and our first tour was from 1979-1984 (5 years), then again from 1987-1991 (4 years), for a total of 9 years. My earliest memories are from Frankfurt (Platen Housing Area). On the second tour, we lived about a quarter mile (or less) from where we lived the first tour (also on Platen). I was 8-9 years old on the second tour. I remember the AFN special report on a Thursday evening in November stating the wall had fallen, and thought this was the end of an era. My brother and I would share stories and memories about our time there for MANY years after we left. I finally took the plunge and went to see Frankfurt in December 2019 (27-28 years after we left). Since leaving I had ALWAYS wanted to go back, but I was waiting for "someone special" to share it with. I finally decided I was that special person. Frankfurt..... IT FELT LIKE HOME. Some of the buildings were different colors, but almost everything looked exactly the same as when I lived there. The scenes, the smells, the damp rainy air, were all very familiar to me. The U-Bahn system had grown since I was last there in 1991. This opened my eyes to some many things. I took my now wife there in August 2022, to show her where I grew up and what I still consider my true home. Just amazing! I have a small dream of retiring in Frankfurt.
I know first hand the issues and havoc that the American children (teenagers) played on some of the local Germany businesses, and I feel bad that Americans did those things. For the Germans that hated our presence, I understood on some level. For the older Germans that loved us, I understood that too, on some level. It is a complicated topic, one that has so many angles. I thought you video was AMAZING at how it handled and tackled the topic. I have been a fan of your videos ever since I found you! I wish you all the best!
Great video, and I sorely missed being stationed there in my 20 years in the Air Force!
My husband’s cousin was in the army for many years and she was stationed in Germany for quite some time and she had her mother, my husband’s Aunt Georgette live with her while she was there. They both loved Germany.
As a young man, I felt a heavy responsibility serving in West Germany in the mid-80’s. Ever since, my family and I love returning. I learned to converse while we lived there, and later because I fell in love with Germany, I filled my humanities requirements in college with everything Deutsch I could find! Later, as my kids and I worked on our family history, we were thrilled each time we found German ancestors! With retirement, we plan to spent a lot more time in the places our hearts are so attached to, especially Speicher, Bitburg, Trier, Hochspeyer, und Freiberg!!❤
Danke schön!!
GDR? as an American? maybe you're having a memory lapse because the GDR was part of the Warsaw Pact.
Dear Feli, you have done us all a great service by covering this topic. Just read all of the comments, all of the Americans who have roots in Germany or fond memories of Germany, all the Germans who have bonds with the US. Of course it's sad that military functions are necessary at all, but even so, lots of people have been learning to truly love their neighbors. I live a couple of hours away from Ramstein, but I am comforted by their presence here. I hope that America doesn't forget us and their NATO obligations. Putin is too close, too willing to kill, and doing too much harm to our friends in Ukraine.
I don't care what our political leanings are, but a system that allows any one person to be president for 35 years is terrible!👎
As an American you are are our friends, we share much of the same values and principles.
As a military veteran I will not stand to have an aggressor like Putin attack Deutschland.
We are your NATO brothers & sisters and want to be your friends always. My family emigrated from Germany in the 1920's, so my ties to German culture are strong.
Your Bundeswehr are consummate professionals and I hope you are proud of them.
I am glad that we have a reduced presence in Germany to ease fears that we want to be soft occupiers.
We just want Germany and her neighbors safe.
Machs Gut mein Freund!
I served with the US Army's Military Intelligence in Cham, Oberphalz in 1967-69, on the border with Czechoslovakia. There were four of us and we were the only Ami's in the town. I was fluent in German and thoroughly enjoyed my time in Germany. Of course it helped that I could speak the language, as hardly anyone in town could speak English. Cham was a lovely little town and I made a number of friends. I even was learning French from a teacher who could not speak English. The experience gave me a lifetime of memories.
I lived in Karlsruhe for many years and there used to be a large US base. I think it's closed now. But the streets there are all named in English and there is a part of the local public library that's called "American library" where all the books from the former base are there to lend and therefore it's really easy to read in English on a budget. This is something I enjoyed very much.
Lived in Frankfurt and went to high school there in the 80’s as a military brat, we then moved to Stuttgart. Joined the Air Force, and was later stationed in Bitburg. Total 11 years in Germany and loved it, felt like a second home. ❤️
Same for me. FAHS ‘84, joined the army in Germany, and got sent right back…though up north in Münster working for the Brits. Almost 9 years there; some of the best days of my life…and I still miss it..
@@scottb2926 That’s awesome, it was an amazing experience. I didn’t read realize how fortunate we were. FAHS Uber Alles ‘86 😁💕
It may be interesting for your German viewers to hear what us Americans think about bases over seas, and in Germany. I think you’d find the answers as varied as from the Germans. I can say that many of us consider Germany to be our best friend in Europe, along with the UK. Sure, we don’t always agree, but that’s how friends and families are. Great video!
The three years I was stationed at Spangdahlem, I was treated like family by the German people.
It was a unforgettable experience.
When I lived in Germany from 2015-2018, the main entrance to Ramstein Air Base always had dozens of Germans protesting the presence of American bases. They held up signs and yelled at cars passing by.
I was one of these german protesters! All we demanded were some leftovers of your peanutbutter sandwiches for christ's sake!
They were doing the same at Spangdahlem AFB in the late 90s after the cold war ended.
Thank you for another great video; informed and informative! [btw: did you see the series "Deutschland '83"? They have it on a couple different streaming services and it's about the cold war in Germany]
As an American, I was surprised by the RMS base as well. It is truly amazing. I've seen both sides. In Alamogordo NM we had German military stationed there and we had a blast. Blending cultures and have partnerships is a great thing. Yes, there is always negatives to it, but it gives you something to progress on. BTW, when newer German troops figured out we could just own guns and carry them as civilians, they were dumbfounded... Until we took them to the range. They thought it was great, even though a bit uncomfortable for them culturally.
There are around 14,000 shooting clubs, around 2 million people with gun ownership cards, and 5 million privately owned guns in Germany.
Awesome presentation, Feli. I owe my English skills to American families in our house as my parents let an apartment to American soldiers near Sembach/ Ramstein. We lived door to door and some of them taught me American starting at the age of 8. Later this turned out to be a major kick starter for my professional career. My parents and I are still in contact with a family of teachers that moved back to Texas 57 years ago.
There no such langauge as ameecan lol lol
Plus many amercans speak spanish and french as first langauge
@@Bigfish31 american english is a real thing. When someone learns english as a second language they have to choose whether to learn the american or british version, it's a large decision.
@@moonasha no it not Lol i speak 9 langauges
@@moonasha there english and diffent accents like qubec french and Paris french
I was stationed in Earlagen 1989-91. The university students did not like us there, but mostly, we were treated well. When we went out on menuvers near farms, older Germans would come out and bring us food and say they were glad we were there. I think it is because of the security we provided from the Soviet Union. I enjoyed my time there and met a lot of interesting people.
The soviets tried to groom and push the left against the US and our own governments. One of the KGB officers responsible is said to be a certain Vladimir P.. It seems he is still into it on a much bigger scale.
Same in the US the college kids don’t appreciate the military either because they never saw the bad side of not having a strong ready military.
As American airman, I was stationed 77-81 at Hahn AB in Lautzenhausen, the beautiful Hunsruck region. I really loved the town of Bernkastel the Moselle River wine region which was very close to Hahn AB. Overall a great experience!
When I was stationed in Europe, it really depended on the generation you were talking with. Those who were around from Nazi Germany through the Cold War, appreciated our presence. The younger generations hated that Americans were in their country. The funny thing is, whenever we decide to shut the bases down, the local government and population became upset. They realized how much of a large impact we had on their economy.
Adapt and over come. The Germans learned to survive when the US Community left the Nuremberg AO during the height of the Cold War were over 40,000 of us stationed in/around the AO. Nuremberg did survive and so did the surrounding AO. Words from the Grateful Dead.... I will get by, I will survive with a little bit of Grey. Touch of Grey the song.
We will survive
@@fluffyusa that may be true for a city like Nuremberg, but if you think about Ramstein, without the military base it's truly just a tiny rural village, its economy is all about the US base
@@silmuffin86 Like I mentioned I arrived back in 93' and I'm still here. I served from 92'-97', thru 93'-97' all over Bavaria pulling Law Enforcement duties, training, etc. (Fürth/Nürnberg, Erlangen, Herzogenaurach, Bad Kissingen, Kitzingen, Schwabach, Augsburg, Ansbach, Bamberg, Schweifurt, Giebelstadt, Grafenwöhr, Vilseck, Hohenlefs, Berchtesgaden, Würzburg, etc), almost all of these places, the US Military community has vanished except for Ansbach, Vilseck, Hohenfels, Grafenwöhr. The places that we left, the German community still thrives today. The transition wasn't easy but they overcame!
I life in Heidelberg and the US-Army left a few years ago. I don't know one person who miss them.
@@fluffyusaFürth is doing well, thank you :) And the Darby Barracks gave us a very nice park area in the southern part after they were gone. The chapel is still in use as such, by the way, even going by the name Chapel.
I grew up in West Berlin and believe me, we loved the US Army there.Not just for safety but one thing that was not mentioned at all was the AFN (American Forces Network )The younger generation loved listening to the music. We grew up with Rock and Roll or Jazz with AFN.When i moved to Frankfurt to study here the first thing i did was tuning in on AFN . So this was a very important part of our lives growing up and getting fluent with the language. (It got me in trouble too because the teacher tought British Engliih and we read Steinbeck , Roth and even Bukowski and there were words spelled different)The teacher did not agree it to be English.
Oh yeah! AFN!
Yeah we always waved to the tank crews when their convoys were passing by on the Clay Allee in the 80s
Oh yes my dad and his friends back in the 50ies when still in highschool in Munich built a radio and listened to the US army sender and discovered Rock'n'Roll. The parents weren't amused 😂
My father loved the Americans growing up. In 1945, when he was 5 years old he befriended a GI called Bob and he loved him more than his own father.
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I was stationed in Wharton Barracks south of Heilbronn, during the late 80's and lived Off Post in Downtown Heilbronn and love it. I would also take walk around the town, site seeing outside of Heilbronn and going our dancing every night in which I miss. Last time I went to Heilbronn during the mid 90's , Wharton Barracks became a ghost town. Last time I traveled to Germany was in mid 2000's to visit a Lady friend in Berlin and it felt them same like in Heilbronn, very relaxed atmosphere. I plan to go back to Heilbronn this year during Spring / Summer and make new friends and go Site Seeing and Parting again. Das Ist Gut.
My Dad was stationed in Heilbronn as well, but in the early 70's. That's where he met my Mom,and I still have family in and around the Heilbronn area. The last time I visited was in 2015. It's been too long, I definitely need a return trip! Enjoy your trip there this spring/summer!
I lived in hielbronn in the late 70s loved it had a blast riding skateboards in the vineyards. Think they are apt homes where we lived on the upper side now
Well made videos. Always enjoy watching.
USAF veteran who was stationed at Ramstein for 3 years in the 1970's. I very much enjoyed my time at Ramstein and in Germany in general. The vast majority of the Germans that I came in contact with, including on our travels, seemed appreciative that the American military was there.
I'm a 55 year old German, was born and grew up in Erlangen near Nuremberg and thus with quite some US-Soldiers and the culture they brought with them, of course - and I loved it! There were German-American friendship feasts with typical Amercan food and beverages and US people all over the city and the surrounding region! And I always say, that in these times ever,thing was more colourful than now. It was a great time to grow up with all of this around! 🤩🤗🤩
I attended Erlangen Elementary School (1976-77). I spent a total of 11.5 years in Germany and really miss those days.
I served at Ferris Barracks
I was stationed at Ferris Barracks 76 to 79, loved my time in Erlangen
I was in Bamberg from '69-'72. I loved exploring a 1,000 year old town and schloß Altenberg. Also visited many other countries in my VW camper van. We went to many music festivals in Summer & Meistersinger Halle often.
We were a 8" howitzer unit & visited Grafenwoehr twice a year. We were out in town (not in uniform) almost every night. I miss the bratwurst & schnitzel.
Its my dream to returrn.
Lived in Zweibrűcken from 1979-1984...21-years-old...the Germans took me under their wings and taught me about practical living. Traveled all throughout Europe and somehow wound wind up with the German tourists; in every country treated me like I was one of their own. After Germany, worked for a German guy, and when he was doing the technical work I couldn't do, he would have me read, out loud, from a German romance novel as a joke, and also for the practice. Wonderful memories!
I was so impressed with how well the German people treated me when I was stationed there. I was there in the early 90’s and I preferred Germany to the states. The people are nicer. Public transportation was better than anywhere else I’ve been. I love the beauty of the countryside. The swimbad was the first place I ever had a mimosa and with all the different saunas, I never got sick. And the Food! Oh Lord, the food!
Thank you to all the Germans who were such amazing hosts.
Mimosa? The flower???
My brother was stationed at Spangdahlem Air Base and he said similar things to what you say here. The German people were so friendly to him and his family.
The food would be my favorite. Love Schnitzel, Rouladen, Bratwurst
Lol no here in the states thats Champagne and orange juice a breakfast alcohol if thereis such a thing 😂 .@desperadox7565
@@carlcampbell4923 Ok thanks, never heard of.🍹
My grandfather was a paratrooper in WWII. After the war ended, my grandmother moved to Germany to join my Grandfather as he was stationed in Germany as part of the occupation force. I know, at least part of the time, he was stationed at Grafenwöhr, and their were stories associated with that. My father was born in München and only moved to the states later when my Grandfather had his twenty years in the Army completed. My grandparents and my father mixed German words into everyday life in American English. There is a lot of nostalgia associated with your channel and my early childhood. I appreciate your channel and listening to you and reminiscing. I study German as well during my free time, so this is very special to me. Thank you.
Great video! Thanks for presenting all the opinions. Even though I am American, I can understand (and mostly agree with) pretty much everything said on all sides of the discussion.
I’m stationed in Spangdahlem German USAF. Love Germany!!! Trier is fun place and Luxembourg is close
As a Canadian soldier, I spent 11 years in Lahr Germany 76-81 and 86-92 our Canadian base closed completely by about 1994 I loved my time in Germany
Interesting to hear! I was living in Freiburg i. Brsg. at that time and in love with a soldier from Lahr. When he was off duty for more than a few hours we often made some sightseeing tours in the area and had lots of fun. Sadly he had to leave Lahr because of the Balkan Wars where he was sent to. We rarely had the possibility for a phone call and as time went by lost our connection. A few years later I received a letter in which he told me he was now back in Canada and doing well. I was glad to hear that he was safe and "in one piece" (edited because of a lost "e". 😇)
I spent a couple weeks in the field with the Canadian 444 tac helicopter squadron. ‘92 I think it was. Great bunch of folks.
I was born in Frankfurt Main in 1958. My father was in the US Army. As a result I attended high school in Heidelberg in the 1970s. I was then stationed in Wiesbaden in the 1980s with the USAF. My ancestry is heavily German. I really love Germany and had nothing but positive experiences there, especially with the people. As a service member in the 80s most of my off duty time was spent off base with the “locals”.
I was stationed in Aschaffenburg from1982-1984. I really enjoyed my time there and even found time to do a couple of Volksmarches. I had a few close German friends, mainly they were paramedics that worked in our local medical dispensary. Of course, it was a different world back then with Germany still divided and the cold war front and center. I loved the food and drink and found German society to be quite charming. I always think fondly of my time there.
Thank you, this topic was excellent! I remember being a Navy Hospital Corpsman attached to the US Marines on a NATO training expedition to Germany. We picked up some German army men on our transport ship. I admired the long hair and casual military uniform they wore. They went to the ship’s store and bought various tobacco products. I didn’t smoke, but when they told me how many German Marks it cost to buy tobacco, I did the same thing. When I ran out of money in Hamburg, I took my stash and sold all of it at the first bar I stepped in. While training in Germany, I could see the German tanks, and it was so cool to hear German military words that I often heard in WWII movies. While in college at the University of Hawaii, I had a girlfriend from Germany, and she never had an opinion about the US military still having bases in Germany. Her brother was involved with Porsche out of Reno, Nevada, and always thought he was so lucky to be involved with such a fantastic car maker. Later in life, I married my Japanese wife and have visited Japan many times. Japan also has many US bases, with some of the same issues brought up by the German commentators in your UA-cam post. My wife and I last year took a military flight to Ramstein, and the base is like being in America. We are going there again next month, and I plan to rent a car instead of taking trains to get around. I look forward to learning more about Germany. As far as worrying about nuclear weapons on bases in Germany and Japan, they are also in the US countryside. Although some pacifists are not too thrilled with the idea of having nuclear weapons, it is not a nuclear-weapon-free world. I do not see that ever-changing. I believe we will soon be going through WWIII. I hope it doesn’t happen during our lifetime. Thanks again for the excellent topic and your efforts towards the presentation.
Story from my uncle who was Stationed at Ramstein.
Being a rural Wisconsin boy he always gravitated to farm culture and would go to a local farm not far from the base.
There was an old man who spoke impeccable English (my uncle adds here that this man spoke better than many of the Americans)
When asked where the man had learned English. He replied 'Camp Aliceville Alabama'
I was stationed at a small US Navy base in Schleswig-Holstein. It was the best posting of my career. Loved every moment! 😊
I was in Germany for Reforger 85/86 a NATO exercise in the area North of Frankfort in the Giessen area simulating the Russians coming through the Fulda Gap. It was the coldest winter since WWII, and we were holding maneuvers throughout the area. The locals were wonderful. Many came to see us when we set up for the night. Yes, some wanted Mare's or anything American. Some told stories of how grateful they were that they were liberated by the Americans. One "Moped gang" threw balloons filled with paint at few vehicles, that was the only negativity we experienced.
Some of my happiest memories come from my time in Germany and traveling to see historical sites and museums. Coming from a country thats only a few hundred years old, being in a country that bas thousands of years of history was so damn cool. Christmas markets and volksfests were great!
I was in Germany off and on over 23 years in the Army. I was VERY lucky to be stationed in Zirndorf. It is a smaller town near Nurnburg. Beautiful place and wonderful people. Bavaria was great. Baumholder was one of my later assignments and I ended up in Idar Oberstein while living in Birkenfeld. Still great places and people. I was there during September 11th. The German people really pulled together to really show their support for the American people. The Polizei even escorted our school busses for many months after the attack.
This topic is so fascinating! I'm a German who grew up around Ramstein/Landstuhl/Kaiserslautern American Military presence. This video and its comments made me realize how influencal the US military bases on my family's and personal life actually were. After the war both my grandparents worked for the Americans in logistics and snackbar canteens. Other family members profited from renting houses and flats to US military personal mostly officers incl. pilots etc.
Up to this day we have Americans as neighbors in rural villages close to base. When I was a teenager I also got a cleaning job at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center.
Americans brought punk and rap music and skateboarding to our rural mostly boring culture. US military brats became close friends and they took us on Base and provided us with American produce made us excited about American lifestyle... for bad and for worse;)(Reeses, Doritos, Icehouse, dr.pepper, Jelly beans, corn dogs😂 etc, The candy variety and free refill service at burger king just blew my little sweet tooth mind😅)
On the other hand many, many of the Americans really loved our rural Germany, some even married Germans, stayed on, and/or have nostalgic feelings after their return to the US. They particularly loved the ancient sites like Nanstein Castle in Landstuhl etc.
I love to have grown up in this unique environment, it shaped my childhood and adolescence quite intensely.
What always stuck out to me, to this day, how friendly and nice americans are compared to our more 'unfriendly' closed German character. I always tried to emulate that kind of openess whenever I traveled abroad.
But still to this day I dont understand why the Amis walk around in shorts and shirt during freezing wintertime!?!?! 😂
And still ..... No Punx in Ktown, and no Ramstein Flugtag
Love and Peace ...from someone who delights in the sound of landing F16s fighter jets and Hercules' even at 2 o'clock in the morning.
Probably Americans from more northern states that experience colder temperatures and are already used to the cold.
This really made me laugh. I live in the State of Georgia in the U.S. My 18 year old son was helping me take down the Christmas lights outside two weeks ago and it was an unusually cold day here, -8C. He had on shorts and a hoody while doing it. His friends are the same. My wife and I just shake our heads.😅
@@Rhino2075😂 Haha.. exactly. It's definitely not a generational thing, since we observe this kind of dress code since at least the 80's. But it seems more younger Amis throughout the years.
And speaking of Xmas lights, in our small towns you see clearly which house has US occupants due to the most gigantic and elaborate Christmas light installation on the roof, wall, garden and fencing. The Germans love it, but shake their little frugal heads in recognition of their own unaffordability and waste of electricity. Sparen, sparen, sparen.😅
But therefore we get Christmaspresents a day earlier on the 24th Dec, and prime delivered by the baby Christ him/her/it-self (or so scuttlebutt goes😊)
Love and Peace from a German Weltbürger
@@Rhino2075Reminds me of this one time when I was in high school. Our track team had winter runs to help keep in shape for the upcoming track season that started in late winter/early spring. On one of those runs, one of my teammates was just wearing a T-shirt and shorts while I had my winter running clothes on, hat and gloves. I asked him, “Are you part Greenlandic?” His response was something along the lines of, “Maybe I am.”
@@Rhino2075 I wear shorts all year long . lol
My first duty station in 1993 was Furth Germany, William O. Darby Kaserne, from there we moved to Bamberg during the downsizing I left Germany in 1996. Loved living there.
Thank you for talking about this topic. I was stationed in Bamberg and Wutzbug from 91-95 and I love Germany and the people so much. I was there just as the first major drawdown took place that closed Frankfurt, Mainz, Heidelberg, etc.
I was embarrassed at how American personnel acted at times toward Germans, particularly when they were drunk (very disrespectful). I can honestly say that my time in Germany was one of the most culturally and personally enriching experiences of my life.
My mother was stationed in Frankfurt as a nurse from 64 to 68. We first lived on base, and then we moved out into one of the smaller villages near Frankfurt. We loved living among the local folks, and I went to the German school nearby for kindergarten to second grade. My parents really believed in mingling with the people and getting to know them and learning German. I loved living there! I have some very fond memories of that time, and have been back three times to visit, and see old German friends.
My ancestors are from Germany. Probably about 250 years ago. I grew up on a farm in central North Dakota USA. I had never been more than 200 miles from home when I joined the US Army in 1966. I got lucky and was sent to Germany instead of Vietnam. I spent 2.5 years in Stuttgart, Germany. While there I bought a VW bus and traveled and camped around Germany and several other European countries. I got to see the Alps in Europe before I saw any of the mountains in America. I really enjoyed the German and European culture and scenery. That experience has had a large influence on the following 55 years of my life. The Germans that I met were generally friendly and helpful but I often wondered how they felt about is American GIs there. Your video is enlightening.
buckboard
😂
good joke
I spent 2 years in Germany during the mid 70s at Baumholder ( the rock ). 293rd combat heavy engr Bat. Loved it there. Lots to see and do. My dad fought in WW2 and was fighting at the base where I was. Lots of history here which every chance I got I went out to explore. Used to go to the Mozel river alot for the wine fest.
WOW, a lot of info in a short 31 minutes! Well done. Never been to Germany, though I read and watch vids all the time covering German issues. This question was one I am very curious of the answers to. I did not expect such a high degree of positivity from native Germans, to be honest. That there would be many facets is a certainty. I am pretty impressed and happy with the general candor I feel I see in the responses. If this 70 yr old man ever gets the opportunity to visit, I would love to. Just to see and meet a few native Germans, at the least!
I really appreciate how this video is structured and how you shared the facts first. I'm a "Military Brat" My family lived on the Rhein-Main Air Base for 3 years. That base soon closed after we moved. My experience interacting with Germans was only ever positive. We were required to take German classes in all grades and we took it through out the school year, so I was able to learn how to speak basic German to make it through a short conversation. Our school also made a point for all field trips to be in places where we could be part of the culture and language.
Any German I ever interacted with was polite and excited to share their culture with my family. They recommended places for us to visit, explained how to navigate the roads (GPS was not used yet), and shared holiday traditions with us. There is nothing like Christmas in Germany. Magical.
We lived there when 9-11 happened. It was a scary time and I remember the fear that more attacks were coming and that US bases might be targets. Once that concern subsided, every German friend we had gotten to know at that point reached out. They offered us food, comfort, and I remember our neighbor across the hall, she was German who married an American soldier, came over with toys on that day so my brothers and I had something new to keep our attention away from the news.
I have always had this view of Germans being so incredibly friendly. Of course I was 9 years old, weeks from 10, when we left so it might just be my childhood innocence keeping hold of those memories, but I have a feeling my own experience isn't unique to other American kids who lived there.
Excellent episode! Although much smaller, there was a German military base in the US from 1992 to 2019.
The German Air Force made Holloman Air Force near Alamogordo, New Mexico, it’s main pilot training center in the United States. The Luftwaffe had been training pilots and air crews in the US since 1958.
Holloman is located near White Sands Missile Range. The area was picked for its dry weather.
My wife and I visited the area in 2012. I was surprised to see German Air Force Tornados flying around the base. We saw several European style license plates on cars. Later, we drove by the Deutschmark Schule in Alamogordo. That’s when we learned about the joint agreement between the US and Germany.
After WWII, many German scientists that the Western Allies had captured were brought to the White Sands range to work on rocket development. Probably the most famous of these scientists was Dr. Werner von Braun. Because of their work, the US had a more successful rocket program.
One thing that I learned about the German language is that they have the parting greeting correct. As Christoph Waltz points out in “Django Unchained” Auf Wiedersehen means “ Until we meet again”. That is a beautiful parting saying!
Because of disagreement over the war in Iraq, the German government decided to end the joint venture in 2019.
Auf Wiedersehen, Lufwaffe!