Who says my people don't know respect? - Warm and Fuzzy from the Germans.

[Doot]

A little background –

The German Army is at Gates of all military installations in Germany providing entry control on a 24 X 7 basis to relieve US Forces that are in middle east..

A different perspective on our German allies. Our governments may be at odds over Iraq Policy - but Military understands Military


Sunday, 30 March 2003

As usual I was running late. So, you can imagine my frustration level as I approached the main gate of Ramstein Air Base only to find traffic backed up! Nearing the checkpoint I realized that not only was there a long line of cars, but traffic had come to a complete stop as a result of all entrance gates being closed. Over the past 18-months, there have been many opportunities to practice our patience as we have had to "hurry up and wait" as a result of heightened security. While we realize the necessity, it's still frustrating at times for even the most easy-going folks. This was one of those times for me! I needed to be where I was going, and I needed to be there NOW! The German soldiers, the ones manning the entrances of American military installations here in Germany, were just milling around, chatting as if those of us in line had all the time in the world.
Things seemed to go from bad to worse! The German gate guards began walking among the stopped cars, asking us to turn off our engines and headlights. I realized that no traffic was exiting or entering the Air Base. My feelings of frustration began to turn to ones of concern. Just what was going on? A few minutes later I noticed blue lights approaching from the direction of the air terminal. Close behind were two military medical buses with their RED CROSS . Lights were on in the buses, and I.V. bags could be seen hanging. It was then that I realized that these were more of our wounded warriors being transported from the battlefields to
Landstuhl Regional Medical Center for treatment.
I certainly wasn't prepared for what happened next. All of the German soldiers, our gate guards, began walking toward the concrete barriers that divide the inbound and outbound lanes of traffic. As the blue lights neared, more German soldiers seemed to appear from nowhere, lining the road, shoulder to shoulder. Right on cue, without a word being spoken, these soldiers snapped a sharp salute as the buses drove pass, rendering arms until well after the last bus had passed.
Needless to say, I was speechless and deeply moved. What a show of respect for fellow soldiers! (Angie McLean)


One more little note to this...Two AM in the morning, a single C-17 lands at Ramstein with one patient on board 19 year Pfc. Jessica Lynch, and who shows up to escort the ambulance to Landstuhl...over 100 German Polizei cars and entire Germany Army contingency assigned to Ramstein..

[Selrahc the Evil]

wow now that is respect I give them my respect. Being half german your story has filled me with so much honor and respect that I only have one way to say thanks.
*stands up in class and salutes the German army and the Great Doot*
Captan Chaos at your service.

[Righty The Wonder Ghoul]

hey im german too. go germany, show those damned pacifist frenchies who's number one! yeah, we need to be more united like this

[Tobias]

ooo...i think we have a lack of cuban-italian americans her...D'OH!!

doot, it was a very touching story...i think it was really cool what those guys did. they deserve much more respect than anyone could ever imagine

that is all

[BWS-1]

*salutes

*raises germain flag at the side of the PO falg

sniff ... makes me so proud

>_>

<_<

do we have a "military saluting" kinda smilie? I know someone who would like one *points self

[Selrahc the Evil]

*salutes BWS-1*
always nice to see a fellow german.

[BWS-1]

w00t! A tank grining smilie is just as good!

[Kid Icarus]

o_o> Is the closest that we can come to a saluting smilie.

[Tobias]

o_o> OMG!!! THAT WORKS EVERSO WELL!!!

SW33t!!!!! but alas, im not german...

[Ming]

That's really a great story. People give Germany too hard of a time sometimes. No matter where you are, people are usually good, decent people. It's unfortunate that a few bad eggs ruin the whole basket.

My girlfriend is part German...so I like Germans anyway because of that..hehe....:p