European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - May 16, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse                                It was a time for dancing in the streets. Gis and czech women Jitter bugged to american country lyrics Sung with a czech accent after 40 years gis return to Czechoslovakia Welcome backs amps photos by Vince Cra Wley by Vince Crawley and Effie Bathen Nurnberg Bureau in Early May the red poppies begin to Bloom in the Fields in Europe. In 1990, Early May also was the season when hatreds turned to handshakes when soldiers who stood on opposite sides of flowered hillsides for 40 springtime finally came together. In May 1945, americans from the 2nd Cav regl fought their Way through the Bohemian Hills to liberate the czechoslovak Village of Zinovy 18 Miles South of Pilsen and then forged three Miles farther East the americans stayed a few Days Long enough to celebrate the end of the War and then they loft but they did t go far. Through four cold War decades the americans stood watch along the Hilly German czechoslovak Border just 24 Miles away. Now the cold War has thawed the czechoslovak say they Are free and this May has been one of the warmest on record. For the people of Czechoslovakia this was the month that the americans came Back. The weekend Celebration at Pilsen was the biggest but dozens of smaller Wreath laying ceremonies like the one at Zinovy dotted the Region. The 2nd Cav is now called the 2nd army Cav regt based in Nurnberg West Germany. On last week s be Day _ celebrated May 9 in Czechoslovakia a about 150 of the regiment s soldiers reported for duty at the foot of Zinovy Castle where they were cheered by More than 700 people from the surrounding area. A continued on Page 14 wednesday May 16, 1990 the stars and stripes a a a Page