THE FREE NEWSPAPER AROUND GRAFENWOEHR TRAINING AREA DEUTSCHER TEIL BITTE WENDEN No. 6 Issue 03/2012 grafenwoehr-news.com Newspaper www.grafenwoehr-news.com TRAINING AREA Netzaberg: Once a village, now a town VFW VILSECK Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9334 ho- nors supporters in Vilseck PAGE 6 LOCAL NEWS TUNING CAR EVENT 2nd International AE Tuning Day was great success PAGE 12 Netzaberg Housing Area was constructed between 2006 and 2008. Its center is the“Village Center“ with schools and child care facilities. The last houses were turned over in September 2008. Photo: Gerald Morgenstern LOCAL NEWS Story by Netzaberg Village was located on Netzaberg Village. When Gra- Gerald Morgenstern Netzaberg mountain between the fenwoehr Training Area was ope- cities of Grafenwöhr and Eschen- ned, Franz Fichtl simultaneously netzaberg. when a us brigade bach. During excavations in 2006, built the restaurant “Zur Schönen was stationed in grafenwoehr archeologists discovered specta- Aussicht“ east of the village and and a large housing area had to cular findings that can be traced located on the highest elevation in be build between 2006 and 2008, back to Celtic times. Uncovered 1909/1910. From there you could netzaberg village, where the res- foundations can be dated back see almost the entire original trai- HISTORY PARK taurant “zur schönen aussicht“ from the Baroque period (1600 ning area and watch the training Live and Experience the Middle Ages (beautiful view) was once located, A.C.) to modern times. They are of the Bavarian artillery. PAGE 13 came back to life. predominantly foundations of training area From Netzaberg Village to the Town of Netzaberg „grafenwoehr training area, yesterday & today“ Grafenwoehr. The history of Netzaberg is one chapter of the book „Grafenwoehr Training - Area, yesterday & today“. The book introduces on 256 pages with stories, data and facts in German and English and near- ly 700 photos from the past and present all facets of Grafenwoehr Training Area.The construction of post around 1910, the large EB-G construction program, the live fire and training of the Royal Bavarian Army and our soldiers today are juxtaposed. 2d Cavalry Regiment in Vilseck and the 172d InfantryBrigade in Grafenwoehr Netzaberg Housing Area was constructed between 2006 and 2008. Its center is the “Village Center“ with schools and are also featured. The German- child care facilities. The last houses were turned over in September 2008. Photos: Gerald Morgenstern (3) American Volksfest and the fes- tivities of the 100th anniversary Housing Area for of the training area are also part of the book’s content. Fantastic Soldiers and their color photos and articles about Families - the unique nature of the “Gra- fenwoehr natural protection area“ Netzaberg and the prove that military and nature do restaurant “Zur not have to contradict each other. Schönen Aussicht“ Sgt. Major of the Reserves Ge- Story by rald Morgenstern is the author of Gerald Morgenstern the book. It can be purchased for 26,80 Euro in book stores, at sa- When a US brigade was stationed les locations in Grafenwoehr and in Grafenwoehr and alargehousing Vilseck, and in the US Shopping area had to be built between 2006 Centers. For more information, and 2008,Netzaberg village,where go to www.graf-trainingare- the restaurant “Zur Schönen Aus- abook.com. sicht“ (beautiful view) was once located, came back to life. Netzaberg Village was located on Netzaberg mountain between the cities of Grafenwöhr and Eschen- bach. During excavations in 2006, archeologists discovered spectacular findings that can be traced back to Celtic times.Uncovered foundations can be dated back from the Baroque period (1600 A.C.) to modern times. They are predominantly foundations of Netzaberg Village.When Grafen- Netzaberg Elementary and Middle School have room for 1,400 students. The woehr Training Area was opened, northeastern view from Netzaberg reaches from the Steinwald Forest to the Franz Fichtl simultaneously built the Fichtelgebirge mountains. 2 May/June 2012 www.grafenwoehr-news.com training area restaurant “Zur Schönen Aussicht“ east of the village and located on the highest elevation in 1909/1910.From there you could see almost the enti- re original training area and watch the training of the Bavarian artillery. Linden and chestnut trees were plan- ted in the garden of the restaurant to build a beer garden. Just like the foundations of the restaurant, they can still be found there today. Military and civilian use A soldier’s romance is depicted on this historic postcard of Netzaberg: A soldiers of the Bavarian Army Corps meets his As part of the Grafenwoehr Training girlfriend at a fork in the road in front of the “Zur Schönen Aussicht“ restaurant. Area, the Netzaberg area was used as an observation point for artillery plans to build a new housing area plans. The housing sections feature elementary and middle school for firing and later as a training ground. on Netzaberg. It is located west of lots of green and playgrounds. The 1,400 students, a child development With the approval of the comman- the site of the former village. Zapf housing area belongs to the city of center, a youth services center and a der it was also used for some time as Construction Co. from Bayreuth, Eschenbach while the houses are as- gas station with a shoppette.The con- a landing area by the Grafenwöhr built the 830 housing units in the signed to the soldiers by the garrison struction of a community center with Glider Flight Club and as a speed- record time of only two years and two housing office. a large church,whose tower will be 58 way track by the German-American months.The total cost of this civilian meters high,is planned for this year.A Auto-Racing Clubs. construction project was 200 million Village Center road along the sandstone quarries and Euro. There are twelve housing sec- The housing area provides room for Thumbach valley connects Netzaberg Netzaberg Housing Area tions. The houses, duplexes or row 4,000 inhabitants. Its center is the with Grafenwoehr Training Area. In 2001, the US Army announced houses, feature eleven different floor Netzaberg Village Center with an www.grafenwoehr-news.com May/June 2012 3 training area Veterans of Foreign Wars District #3 Post Com- manders Council Meeting at Tower Post 10692 Story by Susanne Williams gether with local institutions like German soldiers’ associations to help local orphanages and hos- GRAFENWOEHR. In April, pitals. They collect toys for needy the VFW post commanders of children and extend a helping hand District #3 met for a convention to everybody in need. at the VFW home in Grafen- woehr. The post commanders Holliman’s schedule will be very and their representatives reported tight over the next few months: On about recent activities of theirs May 19, he will attend the District posts, upcoming events and pro- #3 convention in Illesheim to be jects.They talked about how they nominated for district commander. could support each other, or what On May 19 and 20, Holliman and VFW Post 10692 Commander James Holliman (center) enjoying the great BBQ with they needed in order to realize his VFW members will be at the fellow VFW members. Photo: Susanne Williams their projects Grafenwoehr PX and Shoppette for the Buddy Poppy Drive. The- Local VFW post commander re will also be a large Memorial James Holliman thanked all his Day ceremony at the Grafenwoehr members who volunteered and cemetery and in Flossenbürg on thereby helped making Grafen- May 28 with the JROTC color woehr the post it is. “There is not guard. From June 15-20, Holliman a single person who runs the post, will attend the the Department of it is a big group of people working Europe Convention in Lampen- together,”Holliman said. And the- heim and July 20-26, he will be re are many members at the VFW at the VFW National Conventi- Tower Post 10692 who volunteer on in Reno, Nevada. August 3-5, and make this post so special.They the VFW post participates in the put out information, spread the German-American Volksfest in Buddy Poppies, and recruit new Grafenwoehr where they will hand Neue Amberger Str. 99, Grafenwöhr members. They work together as out Buddy Poppies to everyone and a strong community. Their door is recruit new members. Grafenwöhr, Netzaberg, and more The only real Italian at Grafenwöhr HOMEPressath, SERVICE Eschenbach always open for those who need help or advice no matter if they are VFW members or not. Holliman also was happy to announce that the District #3 “Teacher of the Year Award” will go to Grafenwoehr Elementary School teacher Pearl Clark. After the convention everybody gathered in the back yard of the building to enjoy a delicious BBQ with hamburgers, hot dogs, baked potatoes and fresh pasta salad.The atmosphere was relaxed and cozy after the formal convention. People talked and laughed and you could tell that they are not just VFW post commanders who met for a convention but close friends who stick together and love what they are doing. For them, the VFW is a way of life. They help soldiers and their families and work to- 4 May/June 2012 www.grafenwoehr-news.com training area Veterans of Foreign Wars District #3 Post Com- manders Council Meeting at Tower Post 10692 Introducing… Story by Susanne Williams gether with local institutions like German soldiers’ associations to TKS easyMobile help local orphanages and hos- GRAFENWOEHR. In April, pitals. They collect toys for needy the VFW post commanders of children and extend a helping hand District #3 met for a convention to everybody in need. at the VFW home in Grafen- W woehr.