UPDATE OCTOBER 23, 2014

Webmaster note: I received an email from John today in which he states that he is now finishing up his dissertation. He does not need anymore input from the readers. He is very grateful for the input and encouragement he has received from so many. Good job everyone!!! You have played an important role in helping to document some of the history and accomplishments of the US Army in Europe.

Here are John's comments:

The stories, shared experiences, and even photos, I've received in response to the request for support of my dissertation project have been fantastic. I was overwhelmed by the number, amount of information provided, and the warm regards of everyone. I can' t thank you all enough. I am however very near the end of my work so I must ask if you can please change the notice of my request for input to one of thanks.

Everyone who provided information that I used has received a citation for credit in my work and I will be sure to include thanks to you for your fine support of my project.

I really enjoy visiting your site and it is also widely known and regarded by many scholars globally. I offer it as a valuable resource whenever I speak with other Cold War historians.

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(Email from John W. Lemza, PhD Candidate, American History: Cold War: Trans-national History, Department of History and Art History, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA)

I am presently working on a dissertation-level history project that examines how the changing social, cultural, and political global events of the Cold War period, 1946-1990, affected life in the American military communities in Germany. Central to the project is understanding how the daily lives of MILCOM members as well as their relationships with the German host community and neighbors were impacted by the effects of those events.

Gaining this information will support the primary goal of the project which is to better illuminate a time and place in American history which has not yet been adequately addressed. But, it will also offer to show how MILCOM members interpreted the ideals of Americanism (such racial and gender equality, free speech, and democracy) during one of the most tension-filled times in global history.

To accomplish this task I hope to bring history to life by capturing the voices of those service personnel, civilians, and family members who lived, worked, went to school, and shopped in the military communities from 1946-1990. I am particularly interested in hearing from anyone who would like to share memories of their general or specific experiences about some of the challenges: living with the pervasive threat of communist aggression, preparing for and living with the constant fear of nuclear war, anti-war sentiments and activities during the Vietnam war period, racial tensions, disciplinary challenges with crime and drugs, and anti-American sentiments protests. But I would also like to hear about the positive influence Americans had on the German communities, the warm relations with the German neighbors and one another, feelings of camaraderie, patriotic feelings about your committment to do your duty and your job.

I served in the Army in Bad Krueznach and Mainz from 1983-1990 (I met my wife there in 1986 and our son was born there in 1988) and I have some wonderful personal and professional memories of my time in Germany. I do appreciate all of your experiences and hope that you will share them with me as part of my project. I will be sure to give full credit for any information provided, unless you prefer that I don't.

Thanks!

Please contact me with information or questions at: jlemza@masonlive.gmu.edu.

You can email John Lemza or the webmaster

We think this is a great project for German / American relations and it should be a lot of fun to get involved.