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Hello Tom,
I was in the det from '80-'81 as an 05B. You know, I had almost given up on finding out what happened to the 8th. It seemed that DoD had a cap on any info about the Lance appearing on the net. I've run search after search and until now, only gotten a handful of results. To put things in perspective, I arrived at the 8th a few months after the new bldg. was complete. This is probably the bldg. you were in. If so, there would have been a dedication plaque at the main door (CQ office/arms room/offices to the left) with a St. Bernard named "Boozer" portrayed on it. My room was top floor, facing the assy. area. Did you know that during the construction of the new bldg, we were billeted in a hotel in Steenwijk? It was called the Van de Voord(sp?). It was owned by a couple in their late '70's-'80's of the same name Did you know them? She was a great cook (when she was in the mood) and he was always good for a short term loan. That came in handy many times. The BC was Cpt Buss, XO was 1lt. Pacheco. The one running things was Top Brooks. He was well respected. Cpt. Buss was an interesting fellow, well suited to the job. He and I once held up a few thousand Dutch troops for a couple of hours while we played chess. We were preparing to go to the field for a while, Dutch convoy lined up for miles just waiting for us to finish loading the CPs. I don't recall what prompted me to do this when I did, but I told Cpt Buss how wise he was for not challenging me to a game of chess. You see, I had developed a reputation as a competent chess player(not entirely deserved). He knew this, but had not ever watched my game. I further informed him that as our leader, a trained tactician, an officer and a gentleman, one who must inspire our loyalty and confidence, he could ill-afford to lose to an E3. He paused, looked at me as if to size me up, then requested a chessboard from the CQ. For the next 2 hours, he and I played in the chow hall, while the rest of the Army waited. In a particularly bad move, I lost my queen, which he offered back-of course, I had to decline. In just a few moves, I was mated. He was a superior player, and we never played again. Hope to hear from you, tell me how things changed in the decade separating our times at the Det. When I was in, it was a virtual copy of M*A*S*H.
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Hello Mark. I don't believe your statement is true. The military has its own Lance site, an excellent one if I may add...
http://www.redstone.army.mil/history/lance/welcome.html
10/06/2007: PS: Great story. I'm not sure I read it the first time.
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I have to say that the time I spent at the 8th USAFAD was truly the most enjoyable time of my entire military career. I met people there who were of the same caliber as the folks on M*A*S*H.
When duty called they were at their best but when the weekend arrived it was time for a cold beer and we aren't talking about that week American beer, either.
Anyone remember drinking a "meter" at the De Bieb or partying all night at the Locomotion? Some nights I still wonder how we made it back to the barracks.
I believe I may have slept in the same room that you did Mark. During my stay there (APR 86 - JUL 88) I was assigned to every room on that end of the hallway except the first one at one time or another.
I had a single room apartment at Stationstrat 25. A quick walk (stagger) from the Locomotion.
During the time I was there they build a new housing area for those with dependents. Pretty nice 3 and 4-bedroom duplex units. 2-stories with attics! They built a gym onto the main building in 1988
I was the unit's armorer/supply specialist during my stay there. Lance folks had to have their support people around to drive them to Soesterberg, Schinnen/Brunnsum, Bremerhaven, Rhienberg & Sogel.
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