European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - May 09, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse Friends and Tranquility on buildings in quiet Petersdorf Are reflected in a Pond that serves As the fire department s water Island by Ken Clauson Bremerhaven Bureau most guidebooks give the Island of Fehman a single paragraph a if it s mentioned at All a but its a destination As refreshing and relaxing As anyone could want in Northern Germany. Just ask 65 american wives and children who were introduced to the Island and its neighbouring Baltic coast Region of Schleswig Holstein recently. The americans were guests of Typo dozen German families who wanted to show support for the families of service members deployed to the persian Gulf Region. The americans were All 2nd army div fwd families from Wadstedt Germany. The 2�?T/2-Day, All expenses paid trip was organized by capt. Jurgen balding a German air Force officer with an electronic warfare unit in Grosse Brode a Small town on the Mainland opposite photos by Ken Clauson a amps Susan Harris a we wanted to show thanks to the americans for staying with us the past 45 years. The presidents of the United states stayed with us and saved our Freedom Quot he said. He said the germans also wanted to show Solidarity with the american military members who had gone to the Gulf to fight. One of the Best ways for the germans to show the americans their gratitude was to show them their Island Home. Many trip members said they wanted to return to the Island Germany s second largest when their spouses get Back from the Gulf. It s a place one could easily fall in love with. Fehman residents boast that their Island has More Days of Sunshine and less rain than anywhere else in Germany. A. One local said he has often gotten on the �?T/2-mile-Long be Hamsund Bridge connecting the Island and the Mainland and driven from rain showers on the Mainland into Sunshine on the Island. But Good weather in t the Only reason thousands no people visit during the summer. The 74-Square-Nnle Island has Miles of Sandy beaches clean air the Wallnau Bird Sanctuary and Small quiet villages. Plus it is developing a reputation us a windsurfer s Paradise. Offering wind and sea to editions for beginners to experts. A. C. The Island s 1 5,000 permanent residents Are scattered through 48 towns and red Brick villages that Range from Johanisberg population about 25, to Burg around 4,500. The population is swelled in the summer by thousands of visitors mainly other. Germans and scandinavians. Among the towns Are ones like Burgst Uken with a. Cuntin Ucil on Page 12 May 9, 7991 stripes Magazine 11
