European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - April 30, 2007, Darmstadt, Hesse Page 14 stars and stripes monday april 30 2007 Thomas l Kelsch publisher Richard Braun general manager Europe it col Stephen Oconnor commander news and editorial Robb sri staff Doug Lawsom executive editor managing editor Europe Sam am twin Europe Bureau chief Joseph Giordono Mideast Bureau chief Marni Mcentee assistant Bureau chief Washington do assistant managing editors Mary Bander news Sean Moores sports Brian Bowers features Christopher six Patrick Olekson news editor Joe grow Nevski web editor addresses us Mai unit 29480 Apo a 09211 International mail Posivach 133064345 Griesheim Germany fax Dan 3498416 Civ 0 email news letters Central office529 14th Street new suite 350 Washington do 200451301 phone Dan 3127630900 or Civ 202 761qsoq fax 202 7610890 editorial director 529 14th St new suite 350 Washington do 200451301 phone Dan 3127630945 or Civ 202 7610945 How to Call us editor Dan 3498264 Civ 0 6155601264 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printed in Germany by Hurr yet As deutschland printed in Italy by edit Rice Tel Estampa slats and Smipes uses 017252 is Pili suced daily except Christa and new years for 50 cents daily and sunday by the stars and stripes Central office 529 14ft slow suite 350 Washington do 200451301 periodicals postage paid at Washington do postmaster Send address changes to european stars and stripes unit 29480 Apo a 09211 ombudsman David Mazzarella the stars and stripes ombudsman protects the free flow of news and information reporting any attempts by the military or other authorities to undermine the newspapers Independence the ombudsman also responds to concerns and questions from readers and monitors coverage for fairness accuracy timeliness and balance the ombudsman welcomes comments from readers and can be contacted by email at or by phone at 2027610945 european and Pacific stars and stripes 2007 stars and stripes web site letters to the editor logos on cars defeat purpose in the past few Days Security issues have been the subject in several newspaper articles that has caused me to reflect on another area of concern the Security of privately owned vehicles Over the years leadership has done an excellent Job to ensure that Ameri can owned vehicles blend in with those driven by germans thus enhancing our Security As far As pos Are concerned Dur ing my assignments to us army Europe i have experienced changes in color and sizes of License plates we have migrated from Luminous Green americanize plates in the 1970s to Blacka Edwhite plates in the 1980s after that a change was made to German size plates that had the nato logo and Usa on them finally we have made the transition to typical German plates which make it difficult to differentiate Between american and Ger Man owned vehicles however those Security efforts by our leadership Are partially negated by individuals who place stickers and banners with phrases unit logos names of sport teams Etc that identify those vehicles As Ameri can owned and leave them exposed to vandalism or something worse Manny Iglesias Vilseck Germany terrorists right to know7 Here we go again in the interest of the Public need to know Why Doest stars and stripes print a whole Bunch of stories about the Lack of adequate Security Fenc ing and Access controls at various Sites within Germany mandate some bases not fenced article april 26 euro Pean make sure you Point out which facilities they Are and quote military spouses exact unauthorized routes they took to get to their quarters without Security checks we must after All protect the terrorists need to know oops of course i mean Public need to know Douglas m Stewart Bamberg Germany when driving to France France is a perennial favorite of ours however the april 26 travel Magazine featuring France european edition did not mention that travellers should have their passport and International Drivers License on hand even for Short Day trips my wife recently travelled from Stuttgart Germany to Colmar France for a Day trip she was detained by French Bor Der police at the Kroppen Border crossing Dur ing a random credential Check she was asked to produce her passport and International Drivers License whereupon she declared that neither was in her Possession the police escorted her 19 Kilometres to the Lauterburg Border crossing where they completed a police report and turned her Over to Germany Border officials for return to Stuttgart Doones Biliy Flashback Tell us what you think stars and stripes welcomes your comments on editorials and columns that Are published in the newspaper and values letters on topics of importance in the lives of our readers All letters must be signed and must include the writers address or base and Telephone number please limit All letters to 300 words we Reserve the to edit letters for length taste and clarity Send your letters to us math stars and stripes unit 29480 Apo a 09211 International mat stars and stripes pos Faeh 1330 64345 Griesheim via fax country code Dan 3498395 email the French Border police commented that the military or dependent identification card was not recognized As an official travel document unless accompanied by a nato travel order stipulating France As official duty destination further France does not recognize the us army Europe Drivers License As valid for France the police mentioned that numerous us military personnel and dependents from Ramstein air base have been detained and returned to Germany for not possessing either a passport or International Drivers License when crossing into France fortunately no fines were imposed and the Only Cost was the two hours spent being detained and deported in the interest of keeping France a perennial favorite of military personnel and their dependents i highly recommend that a passport and International Drivers License be included on the travel checklist for France it col John a Kizler Stuttgart Germany Standin players dishonest in response to soldiers lose privileges in online game Over use of Standin play ers article april 20 Pacific the Soldier who Felt he was entitled to have his character Advance to keep up with the game is very much spoiled i too am an online gamer with lit Tieton time to devote to my accounts but i would never resort to having some one cheat just so i could keep up that is like stealing a to because the Guy next to you just bought a new one my accounts Are rather Meek and i know i missed out on a lot in the various games but at least i can say my accomplishments Are my own airman 1st class Mary Ramsey Ramstein air base Germany mail going to warriors stolen in March i sent my husband currently serving at Balad air base Iraq a birthday present i purchased one of the new 8 go ipod Nanos from the Navy Exchange at Pearl Harbor and spent All night uploading his favorite music As Well As pictures of my self and our three children i added the ipod to an already full Box of All the things he had asked me to Send him when it arrived at Balad the Box had a Hole in it and had been crudely taped Back together the ipod was missing but every thing else was there luckily i had insured the package i was told it could take up to three months to reimburse me for the Cost of the ipod the Post office in Balad promised a quicker return time so we have submitted a claim with them and in awaiting my reimbursement Check just last week a Friend my husband made in Iraq also had his ipod and other gifts stolen out of his mail this time the Box arrived with obvious evidence that the thief took to it with a pair of scissors the Box was sent via military postal service from a us Navy base in Italy and was not insured i am extremely upset that my husband and Bis friends Are Over there defending our Freedom and someone is going through their mail and stealing their Valu Ables our heroes do not deserve this treat ment i also offer these words of warning to anyone sending valuables to our warriors overseas make sure it is insured Louisa Tei Honolulu compassion for War heroes to the writer of Why no support for Vic Tims getter april i take umbrage to the letter writers thoughts of compassion less military communities in response to the Virginia tech massacre while this event was a tragedy in unsure Why it would be necessary to Wear the Virginia tech school colors to express my sympathy if that were the Case id be wearing camouflage every Day i am inclined to think the real question Here is not figuring out Why department of defense dependents schools did not lower an american Flag for but Why our deceased service members do not receive the same outpouring of sympathy upon their deaths As the it victims received this is truly where the compas sinless problem lies our own american heroes who choose to submit to this it or into the face of danger risking their lives for our right to Fly any Flag at Hal staff these honorable herpes Are Lucky at Best to get a Flag lowered in their Honor or even a two paragraph mention in their local newspaper upon their own deaths the Vic Tims of Virginia tech were awarded sensationalized coverage for having the horrific Luck of being in class when a mad Man enacted his insane plans while i too mourn for the victims and families of the very tragic and sad shoot Ings i am equally saddened at the injustice of any american service member at War who does not receive the same Media coverage for losing his or her life so that i May write this very letter Shanna Persin Baum older Germany by Garry Trudeau appeared originally Ari Coulp warmth sap Pam achy Al Kaepa 05en pbc1matep Tomsk Invof provocation Youcan Tifft t07awthin6 one hey should fit
