Comments on: My Berlin, Part Two – Andrews Barracks

By: Lou Schulist

Lou Schulist — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 00:46:59 +0000

I was stationed at Andrews from March 1956 to March 1959. I was in the engineer platoon, service company, special troops. Our evenings began and ended at the Goldenen Sonne just outside the gate. The proprietor Anton would wander around saying, “So ist das.” A memorable event was when our platoon was assigned to remove and replace a rotted out, tall stretch of barbed wire fencing on a wooded section of the border. The Russians complained smuggling was occuring there. As we tore out and replaced each section the Russkie guards would stand across the line with their dogs and burp guns and watch us. We offered cigarettes which they refused. I had my Retina IIIc camera with me and wanted to take pictures but an American army Major who was observing the operation ordered me to put the camera away to “avoid getting cut down by a Soviet burp gun.” We put in 12 foot high 4×6 posts and stretched the barbed wire using crowbars for leverage as we stapled the strands with about 5 inches spacing between strands. My real job was the Engineer Clearance Section inspecting building conditions as we moved officers and non-coms into homes, apartments, etc.

By: Jim Coleman

Jim Coleman — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 18:19:34 +0000

I was in Berlin from 1966 to August 1969. I was also was a cook/baker for the
287th M.P. Comapny. It was a great time of my life seeing the differences between West and East Berlin. In addition getting out to see the border and getting to go on the boat patrol. I value the friendships I made with the M.P.’s and how I was treated by the Berliners. It was the expierence of a life time. I have been back to Berlin in 2006, 2010, and I will return in 2014. I am a member of BUSMVA, Berlin U.S. Military Veterans Association.

By: Robert Parsons

Robert Parsons — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 14:11:27 +0000

Was stationed in Berlin (ASA) in 1968-69 and worked at the small facility in the woods below the “hill”. The British PX food truck came by every night with fis and chips and currywurst. Worked at Frank’s bar (Zur Grotte) as the cook for awhile and remember well the Golden Sun accross the street from the gate where Hans served up the best knockwurst and potato salad I’ve ever had. Spent some time with some of the resident “ladies” who frequented the place, most notably Beatta, AKA “slash”. Learned photography and darkroom techniques from the German guy who ran the photo lab/darkroom at the special services club …led to a great career. Love to hear from anyone who was there when I was. ..Cheers and merry Christmas to all.

By: Steve Cooper

Steve Cooper — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 14:50:56 +0000

I was in Berlin from 1971 t0 1973 I was a cook for the 287 MP.
I love all of Berlin But most of all the Berliners.

By: ronald e. dodd

ronald e. dodd — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 22:03:36 +0000

i was a checkpoint charlie mp from 1963 to 1965 co 287th mp co.

By: Kevin Pond

Kevin Pond — Sat, 10 Sep 2011 15:43:54 +0000

I was there in 1973 and 74 as a civilian. I actually visited Andrews a couple of times.
I have great memories of Berlin. I lived in Charlottenburg on Danckelman Strasse with some British room mates.

By: John Henry

John Henry — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 03:49:10 +0000

I was in Berlin 78-81 and worked at Teufelsberg with the FS/INSCOM. I had a great time there, where I meant my future wife. We have been married for 30 years now and plan to go back to Berlin in 2012. We really liked Al Malino’s (ate there at least 2 time a week).

By: Ed Buist

Ed Buist — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 00:43:56 +0000

I hope this website is still checked regularly by old friends from Berlin. I have been hoping to find out what happened to some of the old gang from FS Berlin, and my wonderful German friends from the Home Bar. Sadly some have died. Among the FS Berlin gang, I know we lost Sgt. Diane Ganyard. She was a trusted friend and a fine NCO. SSG Joe Pilzak passed away in 2010, he was a fun guy to be around. The only FS Berlin I am still in contact with is SP4 Steve Holt. He visits every year at Christmas. I’d like to find Dave Hayes & Dave Wallace, both of Co. A, FSB. They were good friends. I would love to hear from the gang I worked with in sub system M doing transcription. Among the Germans from the Home Bar, I know we lost Gerhardt Weyershauser, known lovingly as “Sammy”. I wonder what happened to my coworkers at the Home Bar, Monika Creplin, and Heidrun Gessner. I miss all the bright happy young kids that used to come in the bar, Raphael Benn, (Benny), Christan Schrag, Mattius, and so many more. I remember Opa Kuss, who must long be in heaven with the wife he missed so much. I loved that old Panzer soldier, and have many fond memories of him. Ach, Berlin hat noch Reiz fuer mich, ich habeHeimweh. I’d kill for a Curry Wurst! :o) I hope to hear from someone from my Berliner past. ebuist1825@aol.com.

By: Ed Buist

Ed Buist — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 00:00:24 +0000

I was the manager of the Home Bar after I left the Army in 1976 and returned to Berlin. Rapheal Benn well. I’m the eddy he mentioned in his post. He was only around 16 at the time, and was a great kid. If I had his e-mail address, I’d love to hear from him. We lovingly called him Benny. Mine is ebuist1825@aol.com.
I had served for 12 years in the Army starting as a private in 1964 at McNair Barracks with the 3/6. After Vietnam I returned to Berlin working on the Teufelsberg with ASA. those were the best years of my life. After leaving the Army, i returned to Berlin for about three years and worked at the Home Bar. I noticed you stated Andrews barracks was in the Zehlendorf district. It was in Lichterfelde West.
I hope Benny sees this and contacts me!

By: John Tidwell

John Tidwell — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 17:41:02 +0000

I was stationed in Berlin from Jan. 59 to July 62. Assigned to HQ & HQ CO 2nd Battle Group Engineer Platoon. That was at Mcnair Barracks. I am now a member of the Berlin U S military Veterans Association. We meet for a reunion once a year in a different location. Every four years we go to Berlin. This year the reunion is being held in Fairfax, VA. Check us out at berlinveterans.com