European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - November 27, 1985, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Wednesday november 27, 1985 the stars and stripes Page 9 German military celebrates 30th year bund Estehr plays vital role in nato Bonn defense chief says by de Reavis Staft writer Bonn the German military outlawed for 10 years after world War ii. Celebrated its 30th anniversary this month and defense minister Manfred worn or stressed that it is a vital link in nato s Oji cration. If you had seen the reaction of the German people during this 30-year Celebration you would have recognized two facts the overwhelming majority not Only recognizes the necessity of a bund Sychr but supports this army said worn or defense minister since 1982. The German army Navy and air Force celebrated their 30th anniversary with More than 800 events but support was not always so forthcoming. Worner said two factors played an important role in the German mentality just after world War ii. While there was a widespread Allied claim that All German soldiers were War criminals there were Ger Man soldiers who Felt so misused by the third Reich that they never again wanted to be soldiers. I think the rest of the world often forgets the historical circumstances surrounding the birth of the bund Estehr Woerner said in an interview. We had just experienced the greatest catastrophe in German history. We had just lived through a period of criminal dictatorship and the total dissolution of the state and a division of our nation. And we were told by the allies especially by the americans that a German would never Bear arms again. We were forbidden even to Fly gliders. I know that personally because As i started to Fly we had just received permission to do so in 1953." but after the korean War the same americans who shortly before said germans would never again Bear arms asked the country to form an army Worner said. The coalition German government led by Chan cellar Konrad Adenauer saw that it was a necessity to have a German army for the defense of Europe. But there was a hefty and passionate discussion in the country about the decision and the opposition party took to the streets to try to transform the Veter ans into a political Factor Worner said. At that Lime Germany still Lay in rubble he said. We had 3.2 million soldiers killed and hundreds of thou Sands of women and children who died in the bombings. Twelve million were driven from their homelands in the East and even in the mid-1950s, 10.000 German soldiers were still in soviet prisoner of War Camps. With this Back ground it is partially understandable that there was Strong resistance to  the Berlin blockade the civil War in Greece and the korean War helped change the minds of germans convincing them that they had to do their part in defending the free world worn or said. Today worn or said the bund Sychr is considered one of the Best in nato and is supported by the majority of germans. The protest or peace movement has suffered great is t n to by re grind Deffoe minister Manfred Woerner. Cites historical circumstances losses. Their attempts to disturb our celebrations were Only successful in two cases out of 800." but while the bund Estehr has the support of the people it does t have enough people. A dropping birth rate is making it difficult for Germany to meet its nato manpower commitment. We have just introduced a Bill into parliament calling for lengthening of service by three months that we Hope will be passed by the beginning of next year Woerner said. He said the Only alternative to lengthening the draft time would be to reduce the size of the bund Sychr. But that would neither be compatible with our Alliance requirements nor with the purpose of the Bun Des Wehr which is one of deterrence and defense. And since the threat has not lessened a reduction of the size of the bund Sychr is out of the  Germany needs 250,000 men a year from the currently available Pool of 290,000 men of draft age. By 1992, there will be Only 160,000 men of draft age. In addition to lengthening the draft time the German government plans to Institute Finan Cial measures to make service More popular and at Tractive for volunteers. Worn or said. Despite the shortage of men women arc not included in bund Estehr plans through 1995, the defense minister said. Our Constitution docs not allow the conscription of women or service for them with weapons. But it would be possible to have women volunteers in the medical corps logistics and signal units. This Point has been discussed but we can for the moment meet our nato manpower requirement with the measures i mentioned  worn or said there arc two schools of thought about military service among German women. Older women with their memories of War arc set against it. Members of the younger Gene ration arc for it on a voluntary basis As an additional career possibility he said. Woerner said there is a Small cd mint of machismo within the German army that is against women in uniform but he feels the greater worry is coping with the practical Side of having women in the Barracks. But you americans have gone through All that and know the problems of practical and mental aus Lmont. But there is no question that women if they come voluntarily perform As Well As  of the Young German Soldier today Woerner said he agrees with the opinion of Many German cos that today s Soldier is not As Hardy physically or men tally As the first generation of postwar Rel Dicks. On the other hand his willingness to perform and his attitude about the bund Estehr arc today the Best we have Ever had. The attitude today is to make the Best out of the time spent in the service. They perform  if one leads and challenges them  Woerner said the bundles Weir is one of the Best equipped Milit Aries in nato As far As Large weapons systems arc concerned. If you be Ever seen one of our tank brigades on Parade you d Sec that no army not even the Ameri can is better  but he said the bund Estehr docs have inadequate munitions supplies especially modern munitions weakness in night Battle capacity and a weakness in Battle electronics. Our plans for the next six to eight years Call for a systematic removal of these weaknesses before the next generation of Large systems is upon  another problem is the sparse Progress made in nato standardization in weapons and systems worn or said. The main thrust Here should be in the interoperability. That is less than standardization but the mini mum we can realistically expect. It is important that a German unit fighting Side by Side with americans or any other ally be Able to lend or borrow ammunition. It does t have to be the same ammunition if Only the calipers arc the  Woerner  run Cash p5 Between Ger Man american and other Allied units which lie said brought great advantages on the human level As Well As in military performance. The task in this area As Worner sees it is for germans to show americans How Welcome they arc in Germany As soldiers and As people. Torrejon s miss Piggy gives thanks she s no Turkey by Tony Nauroth staff writer Torrejon a Spain it seems the Liberal pro Turkey lobby is growing. Every year the Holiday comics Lampoon those who relish their thanksgiving Turkey. The artists aim their pen and Ink barbs right Between the eyes of the Pilgrim and hit hungry descendants during one of America s most endearing holidays. Turkeys arc gaming untold Power. Perhaps the Best pro Turkey cartoon Ever printed was penned by Gahar Wilson for Playboy Magazine. Picture an elegant dining room. A fancy table is set for the Day s feast but the Turkey plucked beheaded cooked properly ribbed a Fork clutched in one Wing a carving knife in the other advances menacingly on a de senseless family cowering in the Corner. Such stuff make one hunger for Ham increasingly popular As a thanksgiving substitute. But who will speak r miss Piggy just one single voice lobbying knows the tragic dimensions of. Miss Piggy was to be executed for a Community bar Bec Tafter she played a starring role in a greased pig witling chem spared by the morale welfare an3 recreation office almost two years ago. Sis photo by Tony Nauroth miss Piggy to Tom Jon a Spain master sgt. Daniel caring of the 401st equipment Maint so described the action. We made ourselves a Little mud Waller and stuck the Little Wiener in there then chased her All Over he said. Afterwards they were stuck with the Piglet. She was too Little to Slaughter caring said. That would have been  the recreation folks gave her to the chaplains who have plenty of pews but few pens. They passed her on to us said caring a member of the Torrejon Riding club which usually reserves its corrals and stalls for horses. Miss Piggy is now a Mascot and pet and several base children take turns feeding and walking the now hefty Linker. Some of the teens however Are hesitant about the duty. A boy and his dog arc of said a 14-year-old. A boy and his horse Are of. But a boy and his pig huh caring said miss Piggy is invited to All the Riding club s barbecues not As a main course but As a Bona fide guest. He admits however that her Days Are numbered. We re not going to Barbecue miss Piggy Dearing said. We were but the kids got  the club s solution to her future is a creative sidestep. We re going to sell her downtown and use the proceeds to finance another Barbecue he said. This Way we Don t have to Tell the kids that we re barbecuing their  pretty sneaky. It makes a poignant Holiday Story although not a Happy one. The anti Ham lobby will lose a powerful spokes pig and people will be working out around the Holiday table. The Only Good that May come of it is that fewer folks will run afoul of the powerful Turkey lobby mostly syndicated cartoonists