European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - June 12, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Americans at Home from the cover. A a in a excited about going to the United states because its so different from anyplace i be Ever been a its so foreign Quot Kristen Tsotsi commented from her Home in picturesque Heidelberg Germany. Quot the people acc different the scenery is a Complete change from what in a used to and the cities and towns Are a whole different experience Tsotsi a 1992 graduate of Heidelberg american High school noted she was hesitant to return to the country of her birth. Except for Brief visits she had not lived there for More than a dozen years. A from All the news coverage this place has received in a a Little apprehensive about the move. There seem to be Little wars going on everywhere a people Are being killed right out in the streets a and it would be almost impossible to find one person who  some Type of firearm.1 other onetime overseas brats who probably did no to have such misgivings were Priscilla Presley Mark a Mil Victoria principal and h. Norman Schwarzkopf. A americans make their lives in Europe for any number of reasons. Many first come because of assignments with american military or diplomatic communities. Their children come by default and arc sometimes bewildered by the Prospect of returning. To America a land they know Little about. Heidelberg High Grad Kristen Tsotsi says of moving to the states a a in a excited about going there because its so different from anyplace in be Ever been a ifs so  Courtesy Kristen Tsotsi some who linger in Europe say they like the lifestyle of cozy Village neighbourhoods or slow Sweet cappuccinos at cafes. For others what keeps them Here Are the bustling marketplaces sunny Mediterranean beaches or the echoes of Church Bells that ring even on Days that Are not sundays. Some marry into local families or into work they cannot bring themselves to leave. Some May find thai they May have stayed too Long at the fair. After 10years or so it becomes financially unfeasible to take a Job in the Mother country. At least it is for Rich Dennett a teacher and coach at Heidelberg High school near the Hills that Overlook Germany a Neckar Valley. A few years ago he applied for a College coaching Job but 100 other qualified applicants had the same idea. The Competition was not the Only deterrent. The salary would have been 60 percent of what Bennett makes in his overseas Job. Quot it would have been basically like starting Over a a he said. He and his eight Brothers and Sisters All went to the school where he now teaches. Six graduated there. He went to College in the states and worked in a few Stales then returned to Germany where Hes latest Home Over Here is Holland s Urc Larry Parker has been to the lop of the Eiful Tower. But what he likes Best about living in Europe arc Quot the relaxing times and just sitting on the Back porch with a Beer and talking with friends. A a in be Learned the europeans learn to live in a smaller space and to be Happy with it said Parker a transplanted american making his Home in Schin Nen Netherlands. Quot i kind of like the quiet Days a sundays. You learn to enjoy a walk in the  a a overabundance is the word he says comes to mind when he thinks of the United states. To is just one example. Quot How can you watch 60 channels Quot Parker 44, is the director of Community activities in Schinnen. Its the latest Stop in a career that for two decades helped shape american military Community sports programs from German hillsides to iraqi deserts. So his wary look Westward Isnit the Only reason he a still in Europe. A i stayed because of the Mission a he said. A Parker recalls How w Hen he w As z0 years old he returned to the United slates from Vietnam with a Black Beret and a a restful of medals a but was too Young to be served a drink at a Honolulu bar. After years or living in Europe Larry Parker says a maybe in a at the end of my career a but it is hard for me to go  a amps Davo Casey later his plane landed at a darkened Travis fab in California at 2 . And nobody was there to Greet it. He did no to like that America much he admitted. So he found himself a different kind of America the one in Europe. One in which he could help gis. He counts As among his proudest achievements the Wrork he did As a moral welfare and recreation chief during operations desert shield and desert storm. A i  think of anyone More important than the soldiers serving in the desert Quot Parker said. He remembers loading up a vehicle with bottled water to sets generators videos and cans of pringles potato chips. A Quot a just two Guys in a humvee Quot he said. A we drove them out to the Remote  with 25 years of government service he is eligible for $25,000 and Early retirement said Parker who still works out with Young soldiers. If and when he goes Back to the states he Hopes to open his own gym and fitness Center a maybe in Norfolk va., the town he Calls Home. A a maybe in a at the end of my career a but it is hard for me to go now a he said. A a lot of me is still Here. There a still work to do Here. A everybody has to accept the fact they May be required to leave he said. When that time comes he added a Salute and move  a a Effie Bathen