European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - June 12, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Sunday june 12, 1994 the stars and stripes Page 3for Fulda inconceivable occurred by Dave Melancon Wurzburg Bureau Fulda Germany a Downs Barracks Home for . Cavalry soldiers for 43 years and an installation that no one thought would Ever close lowered its Flag for the last time thursday. About 200 spectators including a handful of soldiers gathered for the final Retreat ceremony of the Community a 220th base support in and unofficially the 11th army Cav regt. For most it was the end of a historical chapter in which soldiers family members . And German civilians shared a part. A this is something we thought would never happen a said David Simmons who came to Fulda in 1977 As a combat Engineer. He left the army after a three year hitch and has worked for the army and air Force Exchange service and at the installations target ranges. A now i just help people Clear out a he said. The majority of the regiments soldiers left the area Between december and March said Community spokeswoman Marion Nordheim. Many were scattered among units remaining in Europe while others returned to the United states. The regimental Farewell ceremony took place March 15. Most of the 20 soldiers attending the ceremony will leave this weekend leaving five or six soldiers to care for the installation until it is returned to the German Federal assets office on june 30, the 1st so 14th army Cav regt moved into the Barracks in june 1951. In 1972, the 14th army Cav was reorganized into the 11th army Cav regt which occupied Downs Barracks until the units inactivation. The Community suspected that the installation might be slated for closure about two years ago Simmons said. But Many refused to believe that Downs Barracks would be closed and the regiment inactivated. A it is really sad to see them leave Here a Simmons said a especially since when you been Here so Long and worked with the Cav for so Many years a a a it a a pretty sad Day because of the history made during the time we be been Here said staff sgt. Gordon Mcneil As he hauled pews from the base Chapel. A a it a sad to say Farewell to the German friends we be grown close  parts of the installation already have been turned Over to the germans. One area known As the a Aback 40�?� is now Home to a local Tennis and sports club. Buildings Are stripped of their furnishings. Grass has taken Over company areas that were once carefully maintained. Dumpsters overflow with old carpeting broken furniture and other junk. Even As soldiers prepared for the 5 . Ceremony workers filled trucks with refrigerators and dishes from the Community club. As the ceremony was under Way trucks continued to pull out of the compound. A i liked to hear the soldiers singing and running during their it physical training a said Sonja Schick a German who worked As a Community drug and alcohol Counselor for the americans for the last 12 years. A it is a weird feeling. It Downs Barracks used to be so alive. Now its  Schick said she plans to return to teaching in another German Community. She said she is wary of working for the . Army again. A it is so hard to predict because of All the changes. I May be out of a Job again a she said. Tragic events in the last year a the slayings of Community members spec. Gregory Vav. Glover and 1-year-old Elizabeth Ricard and the accidental shooting death of Deborah l. Gleisner a were not brought up thursday by those remaining on the installation. Their thoughts were concentrated on closing the installation preparing soldiers., and. Sas Dave Melan Cori staff sgt. Gordon Mcneil totes Pew scats from the near empty Chapel at Downs Barracks in Fulda Germany on thursday. I Sas Dave Melancon German and american soldiers fold the last . Flag to Fly Over the Fulda Community. A for americans of Fulda Fulda is so much More than a location More than a Garrison. Fulda is an experience a it col. Chuck Franklin 220th base support in family members to move and the installations turnover to the germans. A the Blackhorse regiment and the bib were very close a said it. Col. Chuck Franklin base support battalion commander referring to the regiments nickname. A was we lower the american Flag for the last time we Mark the final act of a great Victory of the German and american people. An historic Victory unique because it was won without firing a  the victors were not just soldiers but German and . Citizens who kept watch along the Iron curtain a on freedoms Frontier in Fulda he said. Quot for americans of Fulda Fulda is so much More than a location More than a i Arrison. Fulda is an experience a Frank in said. Many people do not understand the emotional relationship shared by . And German residents of Fulda he said. Quot we lived in some of the most significant events of history a he noted. A this makes us different. We Are forever part of  a it cuts my heart when i realize that this is the last time we Are standing together in Downs Barracks a said Fulda a Ford mayor Wolfgang hamburger. A we wont forget. What the americans were standing for at the West German fast German Border and in Fulda. We wont forget their important contribution to our lives and for making our Freedom Sas and Liberty in Germany and in Central  at its Peak about 10,000 soldiers family members and German and . Civilian employees worked or lived at or near Downs Barracks said sgt. 1st class Nelson Lovejoy of he co 220th base support in. Lovejoy formerly of he troop 11th army Cav regt said the regiments inactivation and the Fulda base s closing was a Surprise to Many people. A i never thought it the regiment would go away Quot he said. Albert Dobison came to Fulda in 1977 As a Young sergeant and never left. This week the retired command sergeant major will patrol the deserted installation As one of his final duties As Security manager for the base support battalion a a i fee sad a he said. A a it a like losing a  Dobison said he will try to find a Job in Fulda or another military Community. Otherwise he will return to the states. Quot Fulda has been my Hometown a said sgt. 1st class Daryl Smith a military policeman. A it feels strange sad and depressing. All the activities that used to go on within Fulda Are gone  a i had a lot of friends with the americans. I Felt Good Here Quot said Walter Scherf a Carpenter with 12 years service at Downs. Quot we were a Good team. It is sad that the army is leaving