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Hi, I spent roughly 4 years in Garmisch between 1970-78 & lived in amongst other places, the Sheridan Annex, the Green Arrow(General Abrams) & at Pop Johannsens. Are Bomber & Goldie still there? What about Bombers golf job, finito? If you happen to see them could you tell them I would love to see them, I havent seen them since Chiang Mai about 8 years ago. Rachel & I will be going East to Thailand, Nepal & Eastern Tibet in April, so if they are out there maybe I will see them again. Sorry to hear about the end of AFRC, from the Casa Carioca, to the International Bar & grill, the Eibsee Hotel, to wild parties & careening down from the halfway house it was a ball.

Drew (Andy) Failes.

Website  www.potalaworld.com  

This is for all of us that were part of the AFRC family over the years.

Especially the Water Patrol crowd of 1970                                               

Times gone By

Remember how we spent the nighttime counting out the stars.

Too late for the pool, too early for the bars.

All of us together would raise our glasses high.

And drink a toast to times gone by.

The times, oh we had some times.

When the world was the color of neon signs.

Each of us, and all of us, killed our dreams with beer

And tried to crowd a lifetime, into times that were here.

Remember how the Sunday morning bells were always ringing

And out along Headquarters we’d hear the big man (Fabian ) singing.

In that unforgettable time, some August or July,

Even then we would talk of times gone by.

The times, oh we had some times

When love only cost nickels and dimes.

And now, when our secret needs are hard to satisfy

We talk of going back again, to times gone by.

Remember how we talked and laughed and cried into the dawning

And the terrible taste of kisses in the morning.

Crowded pools, lots of Brass, and very little sky.

Even then, the better times, were times gone by.

The times, you know we had some times,

With gentle women and Italian wines.

But that was in the summer before the winter cry.

And now we drink a toast to THOSE times gone

  Recreated from a poem of Rod  Macuian’s

                                                                                                   Times gone by

Thanks for the update, Sue. 

Man, it kind of aches inside just reading about this;  like learning of the passing of a beloved friend.  How lucky we were to have had the opportunity to live such a magical dream.  Even to this day I'm ever grateful.  While the Garmisch we knew is now fading away into to dark mist of history forgotten, deep in the hearts and memories of we who experienced those wondrous times dwells a special place where she will live on, forever immortal. 

Goodbye, old friend. 

2nd try

Chris A here from Alberta, Canada (GAP72-75) . Sad news about the Grill et al, if not unexpected. Saw Drew's comments and thought I'd add my own in memorium. I was a civilian worker at the Green Arrow in 72 and 73, travelled, and returned to be a cleaner at the billeting office & ski shop and later the bowling alley six days a week.

 On my rare time off when I wasn't too tired, I used to love popping in the the B & G for one of those exquisite milk shakes and some other liquid refreshment. Speaking of refreshment, I never could figure out why in one of the best beer making countries in the world, Miller High life was sold. That was usually followed by a night of dancing to Smoke on the Water and the rest of the musical themes of the time. The invariable shouts of  “Short“ from forces personnel nearing the end of enlistment (and danger) were a counterpoint to the pounding music. 

The complex was a great one for entertainment with some fine movies to seen at the theatre and some finer entertainment watching neophytes on the tennis courts outside(nearly as interesting as the Hausberg for novice disasters - not that I was any good  myself). 

 There were a couple of indoor games I seem to remember- a foosball table(though that may have been a chemically induced hallucination) and the first video game PONG. We were astounded at such technical wizardry. 

At the old Hausberg, aside from my rare attempts at skiing, the entertainment was usually fine too. A subsequent friend Peter Thompson, used to sing a great medley of folk tunes and a few other friends often graced the stage.  

Fasching at the Hausberg, with 1/2 price lift tickets for those in costume, was a bargain and often hilarious - occasionally breathtaking. I remember being very pleased that I was able to negotiate the slopes in a nightgown, only to be amazed by four daredevils flashing (and I do mean FLASHING) by in thealtogether. Three guys and a gal. I think I knew a couple of them. Somewhere I have pictures . . . 

I lived in the Sheridan Annex for a time as well  and recall some great parties and a lot of folks crashing over the years with me and others. I think I met more people in GAP in a shorter time, and enjoyed them more than I ever had before. I learned from each of them, mostly that the world is much smaller than we're lead to believe and no matter what our differences, our similarities are greater. 

So, prosit to the Grill and Garmisch and all our AFRC buddies, and the best of the season to all of you, along with warm thoughts from a place a bit closer to Santa's workshop. Frohe weinacht und alles gute im Neuen Jahr. 

Chris

Hi Sue, wow it's crazy to hear how much has changed! I really wished I could have gone to see Garmisch when I was in Germany in 2003. As it was I went to Berchtesgaden and also was at the last 4 of July in Chiemsee. Must dig up those pics and post them. My 12 yr. old is FINALLY speaking German on a regular basis as he is taking it in school and there are other kids speaking it too. (with no american accent)Don't think I'll make it to Germany this yr but hopefully next yr and we will look you up......Kelly PS-is Enrique still working there? If yes tell him hi -I am sure he'll remember me after all these years :)