European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - February 8, 1986, Darmstadt, Hesse Saturday february 1986 the stars and stripes Page 3 Mary Brown signals a Soldier As Flattie whittle left and Jean Harrington Field other Calk. Waiting to Call Home waiting to go Home to . From Germany Story and photos by Tony Nauroth Nuernberg Bureau Grafe Woehr Germany the phone was ringing. But which one Mary Brown at her Post behind a Bank of phones was Fielding Calls from overseas operators and directing them to one of 10 Booths in the Corner of the morale Wel fare and recreation test tent. Often she would Field two phones at the same time while logging the Calls on a ally Sheet in front of her. A line of soldiers from the 1st inf div 32nd separate inf brigade and other units faced Brown Hattic whittle and Jean Harrington. The soldiers Here for re forger return of forces to German waited and waited. And waited to get through to the folks Back Home. Among them were pfc. Elisa monies spec. 4 Sharon Gray Cal sgt. Lonny Dill and spec. 4 Rodney James. Mantes a Kansas National guard Soldier and live in baby Sitter wanted to Call my mom Back in Hutchinson. I m Missin her. Gray Cal a meat Packer from Emporia Kan., wanted to Call her husband to let him know i m coming Home both monies and Gray Cal had been waiting an hour and a half for their connections. They rested their drooping chins in the Palms of their hands and stared dully at the Forest of phones. Nearby Dill overheard the women talk ing. You re going Home Friday you re Lucky he is leaving feb. 18 after his vehicles Are gone. I m the motor sergeant. I m one of thelast to leave he said. Dill is with 3rd in i8lh Field arty from fort Sill okla. He was calling his wife Yong Hui to let her know when to expect him. James sat on a Bench near the Booths All of which were occupied. His name was on the he s a radio teletype operator with 1st so 4th Cav 1st inf div from fort Riley Kan. He sat with his hand gripping his fore head and tried to get a Little shut Eye. He was waiting 30 minutes to Call his wife and two sons in hint Mich. It s 4 30 in the morning there he said but Shell be glad to hear my voice i hope.". He s been away for a month. While they arc waiting to go Home sol Diers can take advantage of the other services offered by Grafen Wocher training area recreation specialists. They include table Tennis Board games magazines free snacks and drinks and wide screen television. We had about 600 soldiers in Here to watch the superbowl said morale sup port officer Linda Roister. We were Wor ried about trouble but i be never seen a nicer Crew of soldiers and i be never received so Many thank yous in my Tours Are available. On the first Day 31 German buses with so soldiers on each went to Rothenburg Wurzburg Munich and Dachau Nuernberg re Ginsburg Bamberg and Bayreuth. Some of the most popular hours arc those going to stuffed animal factories an Crystal factories. And when inc shoppers come Back with their loot free wrapping i available and a Post office is Handy. The biggest hours arc the three Day outings to armed forces recreation centers at Marmisch and Chick Sec. Back Al the phones an operator finally got through to monies Mother. Brown signalled for the Soldier to pick up the phone in Booth no. 9. She did and a Biggin spread across her face. I mom i m comin Home pfc. Elisa monies left and spec. 4 Sharon Graybeal Wail to talk to their folks. It s a Long wait. But not in vain an exhausted spec. 4 Rodney James Walls for a phone so he can Call his wife and two sons in Kansas to see How things Are Goin
