European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - December 20, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Tuesday december 20, 1994 the stars and stripes Page 3 . Bond a by Kevin Doughert staff writer Lubinka air base Russia the russian air Force major raised his eyebrows to the Edge of his fur lined hat and asked for a Chance to audition. I play a Little jazz maj. Vladislav Yevdokimova said would you like to Hearm play no sooner had Yevdokimova received an affirmative response than he turned and marched Back into the now empty theater at Lubinka air base. Ten min utes had passed since six members of the . Air forces in Europe band had concluded an hour Long concert of Dixieland music. Yevdokimova ascended a Short flight of stairs and walked to a Corner of the stage toward a modest Black piano. He brushed aside some yellow curtains sus Pended from the ceiling took off his furry hat and set it on top of the piano. Then a Evdokimov heavy Winter coat and All plopped Down on the piano Bench. As his fingers raced across the Well worn keys George Gershwin s and Scott Joplin s music filled the Small auditorium. So there Yevdokimova said after a final flourish. You see it s not just for americans.". The six americans who played at Kun Binka Are among about 40 Safe band members on a 12-Day tour that began in Eastern Germany and is end ing today in Moscow. The band is ii -. It s hard to believe. We were supposed to be enemies and Here we Are on the stage playing before these people %. "  r air Force staff sgt. Ton Throop spending five Days in Moscow including performances at the inaugural Moscow festival of military bands As Well As a traditional american Christmas concert monday. The performance is believed to be the first Christmas concert in Moscow by a . Band. The wings of Dixie ensemble and four other band members arrived at Lubinka two hours late Friday. They were late because of vice president Algore who was tardy for a reception at the . Embassy earlier in the Day. A few band members had been invited to attend and perform at the embassy reception. A a a Gore was in Moscow for bilateral talks with russian leaders. The regularly scheduled meetings came at a time when differences have Given Rise to talk of a cold peace Between the two countries.  Vav r however there was no hint of a chill in relations Friday in Lubinka despite the delay. A crowd of about 200 people sided their time by watching an Elvis Presley movie. As the Safe band members set up its equipment for the performance Presley proved Why he is the King by singing to a love interest in English and then wooing her in per Fec russian. We were enemies before but it was Many years ago said Yevdokimova exaggerating the passage of time. Now we Are  that was evident to a Large degree during and after the concert. The concert crowd was a mix of red cheeked children curious teens Young uniformed service members cold War warriors and Stalin Era survivors. All gave the band a warm reception. It s hard to believe said air Force staff sgt. Len Throop a saxophone player. We were supposed to be ene Mies and Here we Are on the stage play ing before these  what was especially hard to believe was what followed. After the concert and Yevdokimova s Handy piano work russian officers took the band and it entourage to View russian fighter jets arid then held a reception. Built in 1938, Lubinka is located about 40 Miles North of Moscow. The air base which houses migs and other fighter aircraft is situated in a densely wooded area. Band members were taken into a frosty hangar where they surveyed a Mig-29, an Su-27 and. An Su-25. Rus Sian officers allowed the . Airmen to sit in the cockpits arid have their photos taken. I never in my wildest dreams thought i d be this close to a Mig-29," said tech. Sgt. Will Jackson a Bass clarinet player. Jackson also spoke about his father a retired Marine Gunn Ery sergeant who probably would have shaken his head if he had known what his son was up to or better yet sitting Down in. The night ended with a reception that included a spread of Finger foods and shot glasses that never seemed lacking for russian Vodka. As is the custom guests and hosts gathered around the table with no chairs. The first couple of toasts were formal and stiff with both Short and Long speeches. A constant theme was the need for Friendship and cooperation be tween the two nations after years of differences. As the bottles were emptied pos Tures and decorum relaxed. The rus Sian officers who average 50 such receptions a year fared a Tad better and never seemed to miss a Toast. The russian people like peace said Yevdokimova the russian major. It s very important to us amid pomp Good humor and the waving of Many banners above the . Army Europe changes hands monday i Heidelberg at left Gen. George a. Joulwan left receives the colors from of departing Usa eur oin Mander Gen. David m. Maddox before turning them Over to Maddox s successor Gen. William w. Bill Crouch right. Maddox turns Over Usa eur reins to by Doyle Tillman Kaiserslautern Bureau Heidelberg Germany Gen. David m. Mad Dox turned Over command of the . Army Europe Token. William w. Bill Crouch in ceremonies monday afternoon in  Mission continues army Gen. George a. Joulwan commander of . European come told the hundreds of american and Allied troops and guests who had gathered at Campbell Barracks under Gray skies and in near freezing temperatures. It is Crouch s fifth tour in Europe he will command both Usa eur and the 7th army. He is the com Mand s 29th chief executive  told the crowd that the recent accomplishments of Usa eur Are stage setters for future Success a theme picked up by  la build on that foundation of Success said the new  retiring army general also ribbed his successor saying the old Guy wants to get everything done soothe new Guy won t mess things up while the new Guy can t wait for the old Soldier to leave so he can fix eve  grinned As Maddox added part of that s  s most recent assignment was As commander of the 8th army and chief of staff of the United nations come combined forces come and . Forces  general and his family Are not new to Europe. Crouch served As assistant division commander of the 2nd army div fwd from 1981 to 1983 As commander of the 2nd army Ca regt from 1983 to 1985 and As chief of staff for Vii corps from 1985 to 1987. The change of command Complete with a March ing band and a 17-Cannon Salute was a retirement ceremony of sorts for the Chicago born Maddox and his wife Ethel. Maddox will retire after nearly 35 years to Alexandria  presented Maddox with his second distinguished Fie vice medal and delivered a pair of awards to Ether Maddox. She received the soaring Eagle award and Heidelberg Star for her dedication an service to Usa eur and the troops. U today we bid Farewell to an officer and Good Friend. Who truly cares about his soldiers and their families Joulwan said