European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - July 21, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse A marching at Nijm Egen a amps photos Gay Lynda Davidson by Chuck Roberts staff writer. F Reddie has worn out six pairs of feet the past seven years at the 74th International four Days marches in Nijm Egen Netherlands. But the Flap Flap Flap of the tiny toy Peng i n1 s r u b Ber f get b Rought Smi Les and salutes during the 100-Mi be March that this year included 750 american soldiers among 30,000 marchers from 37 nations. It was the first time that military teams from Poland and East Germany participated. Pushing Freddie Onward on Day two wednesday was Mayer Pederson one of four danish women marching for the danish civil defense although Pederson and her teammates must push Freddie every Flap of the Way she said the e toy pen g u in m Akes the going easier for everyone. Quot everybody loves Freddie especially the children said Pederson Clad in the Light Gray uniform of Denmark Quot when people see Freddie they laugh no matter How tired they Freddie gets a fresh pair of rubber feet each year. Unfortunately for . Army spec. Brent Coryell he was stuck with the e same pair of tired dog s. Sitting at the doorway to his tent Coryell slowly and cautiously peeled off his socks to inspect the damage after 50 Miles. To afraid to look Quot said the 05th Field arty det Soldier from Geilenkirche West Germany Quot i done to recommend anyone doing this. It s not Worth the pain Quot the 19-Yearold from Concord calif., said in a half serious today it was a cakewalk Quot countered teammate pfc. Randy Jenrich who was marching for the first time in two week s after spen d ing most of the previous two weeks in the Hospital with food poisoning. Jenrich also defied logic by increasing his smoking while training for the March to Quot help ease the pain Quot he said the Days go Gan for 8,000 soldiers from around the world at 3 . By 4 30 ., they began leaving Camp on a different circular route each Day. They weren t atone in the Early hours though. As is tradition local residents lined the routes. Bundled up in overcoats and jackets for wednesday s Chilly morning Many of them sat beside the Road eating breakfast and sipping Coffee. Of. Bockman and his wife Lauritta have watched a a the March from the same spot in nearby Kinde Dorp since the end of world War if. They said they especially enjoy the British american and Swiss marchers and have established enduring friendships with Many of them 1 1 a a. Children offered slices of cucumbers and water to the soldiers who gave stickers american flags and signatures in return. One youngsters note pad included a questionable signature Tom cruise. Mo9t soldiers finished the Days marching by 3 ., although some units were Back by 10 . Along the Way soldiers often tried to out March and out yell other military units marching beside them As they passed before Large groups of spectators. At the end of the Day it was straight to the first Aid tent for Blister treatment their bunks for rest or the Beer tent soldiers also took time to do some serious bartering. A. Military marchers from other nations coveted . Army backpacks Battle dress uniforms and Jungle boots while americans sought out polish berets and Swiss knives. After Wheeling and dealing sessions evenings included partying at the Beer tent or in downtown Nijm Egen. Avoiding the latter was the 12th engr in team from Derheim West Germany which abstained from Beer until the last Day to ensure an extra burst of Energy at the end of the March. Although the March is not a Competition some of the units routinely compete for the Best time of the last Day of the March. The Derheim team has placed in the top three since 1983, but has never finished the fastest they were the first Usa eur team to finish both tuesday and wednesday and were determined to do the same on Friday. In addition to the memories the marchers will All bring Home one common pain. Before being helped to the bus that took her to the Camp for women soldiers on Day two pfc. Amy Hauer sat on the ground crossed legged and tended to her sore feet. Quot of god it was hard but not As hard As i thought it would be Quot said Hauer who is assigned to the 230th my co in Kaiserslautern West Germany. Quot it was a lot More fun than i thought it would be and easier than i thought a but it was t maybe rubber feet would have made it easier. Polish soldiers listen As Cora Batt Ussen describes her first encounter with polish soldiers during world War it. It cot. Krzysztof Mamczur translates As a dutch Tete Lelon reporter records the event. A special Welcome for the polish after torturing their feet Alt Day marchers enjoy relaxing outside of the Beer tent by Chuck Roberts staff writer paratroopers were falling out of the sky above occupied Holland. It was september 1944, and Cora balt Ussen had to find out what was happening. She raced her bicycle to meet the unknown and approached a tall rugged looking Soldier. Quot i am from the red Cross. What can i do for you a she asked. She realized he was polish and kept asking herself Why polish soldiers were liberating her people. Quot it was unbelievable Quot she said wednesday As she chatted with the first polish military unit to participate in the 74th International four Days marches in Nijm Egen Netherlands. Is it possible that polish soldiers Are Here to liberate Holland Quot balt Ussen asked the tall Soldier 46 years ago. Quot yes that is possible Quot he answered in an extremely deep and decisive voice. Quot so since 5 30 On sept. 21,1944 we Are friends Quot said balt Ussen who still lives in Nijm Egen. Quot it is a Friendship that never in the years since balt Ussen has written a history of the Battle that ensued which she gave to the visitors this week. In return she received a Metal plate engraved with a design of the polish Eagle. It. Krzysztof Wojcik accepted the history Book on behalf of All of the 30 polish soldiers who travelled to Nijm Egen and said the soldiers were proud to Wear the same insignia of the 1 St polish Independence Parachute brigade that their predecessors wore during world War ii. The Mission of those earlier soldiers was to protect the Bridges in that Region of Holland said it. Col. Krzysztof Mamczur commander of the marching unit. Sixty seven percent of the polish paratroopers who landed were killed in the intense fighting that soon followed he said. The Battle was included in the movie a Bridge too far. Wojeik the Young lieutenant said he could speak for the others in expressing Joy at participating in the International marching event where soldiers from both Poland and fast Germany were kept Busy by their sudden celebrity status. This is also the first time 5 soldiers from East Germany took part in the event. Quot we make a lot of friends and Exchange addresses with the girls Quot Wojcik said after the second Day of marching Quot we Are impressed by their kind behaviour. When they see us they done to know our uniform but when they see the word Poland on our uniform they cheer and say they remember us from the the polish unit almost did t make it to Nijm Egen. They did no to have enough Money to make the trip until a local dutch insurance company made up the difference. Money is not in great Supply in Poland especially for Young soldiers like pfc. Roman Golaszewski a 20-year-old from Gdansk who makes about $20 a month. The Marine communications Telegraph operator who taught himself English from audio cassettes and books said he liked Holland and enjoyed the March Quot this is wonderful Quot Golaszewski said. Quot the dutch people Are very a a a a a it Golaszewski said he enjoyed comparing notes with american soldiers about life in their two countries. He described his own country As improving economically with More goods to choose from. His commander agreed. Quot it s is changing every Day Quot Krzysztof said. Quot there is always something new a. A a a a. And the is Quick to but he said economic change is lagging far behind political change the situation is similar in East Germany said it. Col. Michael Stilzner one of five East German lieutenant colonels who surprised everyone when they showed up late for the March on monday. Quot we Are very Happy to be Here Quot Stilzner said. Quot the people Are very Friendly. We think that us being Here is a contribution to the unification of Europe. We Are getting the Chance to learn about Many people and to understand them. Thereby we learn if we also Are however the marching was difficult for Stilzner and his comrades. They could not begin training until they were issued boots and that was just three weeks ago. On Day two Stilzner said he was confident they would Complete the March Quot we will finish without training because of the German attitude to get things Ince sept. 21,1944, we Are friends. It is a Friendship that never stopped. A Cora balt Ussen Nijm Egen 1990 \ Page 14 a a a the stars and stripes saturday july 21, 990 the stars and stripes a a a Page 15
