European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - September 26, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse A truck haded with russian soldiers passes americans in to Skoye. Between our two before leaving Bower handed the woman a Small Piri with an american Flag. Although she told the woman it was a gift the woman was reluctant to accept it. Later Bower Learned Why. You should have been there she said. About 15 minutes after the lady left she came running Back. She was running As fast As her legs could carry her and her eyes were filled with tears. You see she wears glasses and it was t until she got Home and put her glasses on that she realized what it was she was holding an american Flag. There in her hand was an american Flag and she was overcome with emotion. We Hap made it one of the happiest Days of a a in keeping with the open Exchange Between the former foes the russian military officials shared one of the installation s Well kept secrets with the americans a natural Spring that is said to flow with holy water. The Spring is about 500 Yards from where the . Russian joint checkpoint was established for the exercise. Water in the to Skoye area contains a High concentration of Silver and is believed to be exceptionally healthy. It is said that Catherine the great after learning of the Spring would Only drink water taken from it. A Concrete area has been constructed Over the years to provide a place to observe the water bubbling up from the ground into a Pool. A Walkway along the Pool to enable visitors to walk up the slope on the far Side. A Church used to stand there quite some time ago said russian warrant officer Ramon Danilenko chief of the 27th guards motorized Rifle div s newspaper it was after it burned to the a preacher lived in the Church around the beginning of the Century and he fell in love with a Beautiful girl from a local Village said Dani Lenkov speaking through an interpreter. The Only problem was that she was married and in a jealous rage her husband burned the Church. To this Day a new Church has never been built the interpreter recounted a Story of russian officers who placed some bottles of Vodka in the water to Cool them and they Sank. He said that it is believed that if anyone Ever discovers them they will find the Vodka to be holy. But probably the greatest revelation during the 10-Day exercise was one shared by american soldiers russian soldiers and the russian people. They left repeating the same phrase people Are All the same. A russian adds Wood to a fire under what resembles a huge Coffeepot but is actually a device used to heat water for use in the Field. Russian tents have wooden Side Walls about three feet High and a Canvas cover. During the Winter a Heater can be hooked up to each. Monday september 26, 1994 the stars and stripes 21
