Soak up 75 Years of Stripes' History in Europe

1 An organization of past and present, military and civilian, staffers and employees, their families and friends of the U.S. Armed Forces daily newspaper, Stars and Stripes. NEWS Spring 2017 Above: The first World War II issue of Stars and Stripes was published in London on April 18, 1942. Left: Stars and Stripes’ European operations in Griesheim, Germany, are shown in 1952. Courtesy of U.S. Army Europe Soak up 75 years of Stripes’ history in Europe Alumni called to join diamond anniversary celebration in Germany A brief history of European 2017 marks the 75th year since rent staff about how Stripes operates Stars and Stripes’ first years Stars and Stripes began publishing today. Make sure to provide notice in Europe on April 18, 1942. A num- to Stripes Europe (contact informa- The very first newspaper called Stars ber of events are tion on Page 3) of your desire to at- and Stripes was a product of the Civil planned to com- tend so base access can be obtained. War put out by four Union soldiers in memorate the For those interested, the base dining 1861. Using the facilities of a captured anniversary of facility is across the street for lunch. newspaper plant in Bloomfield, Mo., both Stars and It is a very reasonable price of $5.55 they ran off a one-page paper that Stripes and the per person (cash only). A bus departs made just a single appearance. Other U.S. military in Europe, May 19-20, for a trip to historic Heidelberg, Ger- obscure and short-lived editions of the 2017, at Stripes Europe headquarters many, a fascinating city and castle, at newspaper later appeared, but the Stars and Stripes that first gained fame was in Kaiserslautern, Germany, and at 12:15 p.m. The cost of the bus trip is the World War I edition, forerunner of Ramstein Air Base. $30 per person which includes trans- today’s paper, which first appeared late Stripes will hold an open house portation, parking and admission to in the war on Feb. 8, 1918, in Paris. Friday, May 19, from 10 a.m. to 12 the castle. There will be ample time The newspaper folded after the p.m., during which visitors can ex- for sightseeing, shopping and dinner war, but 24 years later, on April 18, plore the headquarters at Kleber Kas- before returning. SEE HISTORY ON PAGE 2 erne Kaiserslautern and talk to cur- SEE REUNION ON PAGE 3 2 STARS AND STRIPES ASSOCIATION NEWS Spring 2017 Stars and Stripes staff work in the editorial office in Pfungstadt, Germany, in 1948. HISTORY: From page 1 1942, Stars and Stripes was morale in the AEF. reborn in Europe amid the “We have his screeches of air raid sirens (Pershing’s) authority for and the buzz of V-1 bombs the statement that no official and B-2 rockets during control was ever exercised World War II. In a small over the matter which went room in a London print into Stars and Stripes,” shop, a group of servicemen Marshall said. “It always founded a four-page weekly, was entirely for and by the selling each copy for soldier. This policy is to “tuppence” (about 5 cents), govern the conduct of the which quickly grew to an new publication.” eight-page daily newspaper. It was a challenge to The Stripes fleet is shown in Pfungstadt, Germany, in 1948. The first edition of publish, under military Stars and Stripes published jurisdiction, a newspaper personal publicity, or as a with their protests were told during World War II representative of the headquarters directive. to call Regent 8484 and ask featured an interview with American free press. Stars and Stripes for Gen. Eisenhower. Gen. George C. Marshall, Bob L. Moora, wartime had a special friend and During the next three Army Chief of Staff. managing editor, recalled protector in Gen. Dwight years, the newspaper expanded its operations, Marshall quoted Gen. John that throughout operations D. Eisenhower, Supreme paralleling the build-up of J. Pershing, commander of the staff had to fight to Allied Commander, who U.S. forces overseas. Over the World War I American withstand the pressures of issued a hands-off policy the course of World War II, Expeditionary Force, who well-meaning but ill-advised and defended the paper Stars and Stripes published said that Stripes had been a officers to use the paper for against protest. In fact, major factor in sustaining propaganda purposes, for those who were persistent SEE HISTORY ON PAGE 10 Spring 2017 STARS AND STRIPES ASSOCIATION NEWS 3 REUNION: From page 1 Travel and lodging information There are three events scheduled for Saturday. In the The Frankfurt Airport is your best option for getting morning there will be a “fun run” at Ramstein Air Base of to Kaiserslautern, Germany. A map of the Frankfurt (appropriately) 7.5 kilometers. Both runners and spectators Airport can be viewed and/or printed at: are encouraged. There is no charge to participate or to attend. But you may also wish to enjoy a leisurely breakfast http://starsandstripesassn.com/FrankfurtAirport.pdf and a walk in the fussgaengerzone of Kaiserslautern. In the afternoon, from 1 to 3 p.m., there will be a panel of distin- NOTE: You’ll need to depart the U.S. on May 17 guished U.S. military and political personnel, a represen- to arrive in Germany on May 18. tative from the German government, and a representative from the German media discussing the 75 years of the alli- ance as well as the future. There is no charge for this event. Transportation to Kaiserslautern The culminating event will be a formal dinner at the Ramstein Air Base Officers’ Club. There will be entertain- German Rail: Deutsche Bahn (DB) ment, a keynote speaker (the speaker is recently retired U.S. Approximate one-way cost: 29 euros Air Force Chief of Staff General Mark Welsh), and presen- Info: http://bahn.com/en tations/video about Stars and Stripes in Europe over the last When you land: Look for DB signs after exiting cus- 75 years. The reception begins at 6:30 p.m., including an toms elaborate display of Stripes Europe history provided by Dr. Ticketing: Buy tickets to Kaiserslautern at the DB John Provan. The dinner will be from 6:30 to 9 p.m. The counter (get platform numbers for both Frankfurt air- cost is $30 per person. port and Mannheim Hauptbahnhof train station). The closest commercial airport is in Frankfurt, Germany. • First leg: Intercity Express (ICE) train (long-dis- There are multiple means to travel to Kaiserslautern, which is about a 90-minute drive. The options include shuttle ser- tance train) to Mannheim Bahnhof vices, the train, or a rental car, which can be obtained from • Take the Regional Express train from Mannheim the airport. Kaiserslautern is a midsize community, so the to Kaiserslautern Bahnhof in the direction of hotel options are limited. But there are two in the downtown Koblenz. area, which makes it easy to enjoy the walking zones and life • Note the platform numbers (Gleis) of this attractive German city. Stripes will arrange transportation as needed between hotels and Ramstein. Shuttle: Alex Airport Shuttle For planning purposes, if you wish to attend and if you One-way cost: 40 euros cash or 44 euros with card wish to take a trip to Heidelberg and/or attend the events on Info: http://aas-airport-shuttle.de/en Saturday at Ramstein Air Base, please notify: When you land: If you choose to use this service, Dennis Pertab, Assistant to the SSE Commander Dennis from SSE (see mainbar) will assist in arrang- [email protected] ing the shuttle pickup at the airport if you provide the 011-49-631-3615-9401 flight itineraries. Last pickup is 3 p.m. -- or -- Carrie King Rental cars: Reservations can be made at [email protected] Rentalcars.com At a later date we will reach out for a firm commitment. Hotels in Kaiserslautern Ji Rogers at the central office can assist with logistics as well: [email protected] or 202-761-0900. Check starsandstripesassn.com/reunion for more updates. SAKS Hotel: http://sakshotels.com The Stripes family is excited about seeing everyone Approximate cost: $145 to $167 (queen-size to suite) in May! Art Hotel Lauterbach: http://art-hotel-kl.de Max Lederer Approximate cost: $90 to $162 Stars and Stripes Publisher 4 STARS AND STRIPES ASSOCIATION NEWS Spring 2017 McNamara burial held at Arlington Cemetery Burial services were held at Arlington Cemetery for William “Bill” McNamara on Nov. 22. McNamara, who is credited with personally establishing Stars and Stripes operations in the European Theater of Operations during World War II, passed away June 4 surrounded by family at his home in Alexandria, Va. He was 95. The funeral at Arlington Cemetery was attended by several Stars and Stripes staffers. Photos by Marie Woods/Stars and Stripes Spring 2017 STARS AND STRIPES ASSOCIATION NEWS 5 Courtesy of the U.S. Army A construction crew uncovered a suspected World War II-era bunker in November while installing a fire hydrant behind Stars and Stripes’ office building at Hardy Barrack in Tokyo. City officials decided not to investigate or preserve it. Suspected WWII-era bunker uncovered at PSS headquarters By Aaron Kidd and Hana Kusumoto Workers dug about one meter down known, he said. A worker went inside Stars and Stripes with a power shovel when the dirt sud- to take photos; however, out of cau- denly fell, exposing a deep bunker that tiousness, no one has ventured farther Officials decided not to preserve or appeared to branch off in two direc- to see where it leads.

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