European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - October 21, 1977, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Friday october 21, 1977 the stars and stripes Page 11 tetters to the editor Patch pm problems complained and explained i have been stationed at Patch Barrack for about a year and a half now. During this time it has become quite obvious that there exists Here a system whereas . Government or the military at any rate has been standing behind certain organizations in Many cases for the Benefit of these organizations which is paradoxically to the detriment of the soldiers sail ors airmen and marines who serve Here. The base pm does not sell shoes of any kind. In order to buy these every military Type the Patch patrons Are forced to travel Many Miles to Robinson Barracks. Or they can walk 100 Yards from the pm Purchase a membership card and buy these items at the Patch Barracks Neucom sports  Patch pm has a poor selection of cameras films current records radios Etc. In order to Purchase these we must Purchase yet another membership card and buy these items at the the Patch Neucom audio photo  you Are a sportsman and want to Pur Chase a fishing Hook or fishing pole or you Are a Hunter and you want to Purchase the associated accessories you will be required to Purchase a costly membership card from the Neucom Rod and gun club which once again is located on Patch bar Racks. Add having to Purchase a member ship card to go into the base clubs and it is easily seen that one s Billfold must be Large enough to contain All these cards if you wish to live and shop at Patch  the services other than the army want uniform parts even military ribbons the pm Here will Send to the states for these for you. This sometimes takes three months or More. The Navy uniform i recently bought via this method Cost me about 15 per cent More than i would have had to pay on a Navy  will admit that the Patch pm is physically too Small to Stow All these articles. But Why do we need this Jungle of sports audio photo and Rod and gun clubs,Etc., when the space these shops Are occupying could easily become annexes to the a sex Stephen m. Keohane Stuttgart Germany it. Col Larry v. Cramer director com Mand and Public relations division for he cafes replies you Are certainly Correct in describing the Many organizations operating retail sales facilities at Patch Barracks. We cannot respond to your comments about the Neucom sports Center the audio photo club and the Rod and gun  you observed the reason cafes cannot Stock a larger assortment of Mer Chandise is because the building is physically too Small to expand further. We cannot comment upon the merchandise selections you mentioned in your letter. The majority of our comments do reflect the same Basic Issue space. Shoes Are not offered for Sale at the Patch Exchange because sales space i limited and there is not backup storage space. To provide adequate service a shoe department requires a Large area due to the number of styles sizes and Price ranges. The main Exchange at Robinson Barracks approximately 12 Kilometres from Patch Barracks offers such a Large selection of shoes. The Patch Barracks Exchange stocks a wide assortment of cameras and acres Gas Holdup it really gripes me that people Are so in  be been to the service station at Vogel Weh so Many times and found the line at the Gas pump quite Long. That s under  if someone needs coupons they should be purchased before they get in line and not wait until the attendant is filling the car and then run Over to Purchase Cou Pons leaving everyone waiting including the  should be a sign posted stating  s so inconsistent to others waiting to get Gas. What a shame that people should even have to be told. It s Only common  Willey Kaiserslautern Germany grand party after Reading the articles on . Readi Ness it should remind All americans that we have been enjoying a we re free party. But for a party like this to continue into the wee hours of time we need to Host assertive and positive policies in the areas of world leadership. For without a Stron America fewer and fewer free guests will happily join us. And uninvited aggressive groups will not Only crash our party but put an end to it. Jackie  Hall Germany sories and every kind of film available inthe cafes Europe Stock assortment. Cameras Are available from $16.50 to $480and the selection includes 13 brands 49 models and 8 different movie cameras. The records Stock assortment is some what restricted due to the Lack of space however this is not an excuse for records not being current. The replenishment system for new releases is the same for Al exchanges. Records generally reach the stores approximately 15 Days after release from the manufacturer. Space also restricts the number of radios available at the Patch Exchange. The present selection consists of five Brand names of radios in 13 portable models 12cassette models two models of car radios and four clock radios. Prices Range from $5.40 to $170. Regarding uniform items we recognize that members of four service branches Are assigned to Patch Barracks. The number of Navy and Marine corps person Nel is so limited that it is just not feasible to Stock a Complete selection of uniforms and insignia for them. Stock items special or dered from uniform manufacturers nor Mally take four to six weeks. Commercially procured items do Cost More than clothing sales store items for All services. The realities of the situation in Europe where there Are Many separate operating locations Are such that if Large and diverse Stock selections of luxury and recreational items Are to be adequately merchandised it makes sense to centralize them in one location within the various military comm  appreciate your comments and we Trust the foregoing explains the limitations under which cafes is operating at Patch  astronomers sought i request Contact with serious Amateur astronomers. Please reply with Type instrument any affiliation membership with National or International astronomical groups and observing preference i.e.,variable Star observations lunar and planetary studies astrophotography deep sky observations  individuals should be Active in the particular Fields identified. Thomas m. Curtis32tfs,box918 Apo 09292 european edition col. Billy e. Spangler Usa editor in Chi of u. Col. J. C. Taylor Usan. Deputy editor in Chart Mert Proctor managing editor Elmer d. Frank production manager Henry s. Epstein circulation manager this newspaper is an authorized unofficial publication for . Armed forces overseas. The stars and stripes is published in conjunction with the armed forces information program of the department of defense. Contents of the stars and stripes Are not necessarily the official View of the . Government the department of defense or the . European command. The appearance of displays in this newspaper concerning commercial publications does not constitute an endorsement by the department of de sense including the military departments. Military address the stars and stripes Apo 09175. International mail the stars and stripes Postrach 11 10 34, d-6100 Darmstadt 11, Germany. Tel Griesheim c prefix06155 811 m Darmstadt Airstrip prefix 2376 741, telex 0419-332. New York office room 948, 201 Varick st., new York 10014, Tel area code 212 620-3333. Second class postage paid at new York n. Y. 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