I was also in the army in the early 70s stationed in Madrid, Spain. Another GI and I went on a month long tour of Europe and did go to East Berlin. We drove from Check Point Alpha (entry to East Germany) to Check Point Bravo (entry from East Germany to West Berlin). Had to sign in and we were timed. If we'd been too early getting to Check Point Bravo we would have been ticketed for speeding - too late and the MPs would have come looking for us. To enter East Berlin we had to wear our uniforms, sign in at Check Point Charlie and remove our name tags. We were told we could go any where in the city but not to sign anything and to be back by midnight. There was a Communist Youth Festival going on at the time. They were all wearing yellow scarves (like Boy Scout scarves) and everyone was signing the scarves. The kids saw two American soldiers and of course wanted our signatures on their scarves. It hurt to have to refuse, but I could just see my picture in Pravda or the Stars and Stripes - "American soldier endorses Communist Youth festival". I would have been in Kansas long before now - at Fort Leavenworth. The trip to East Berlin was a little scary but very interesting.
Tom Kelman Commerce Bank of Kansas City (816) 760-7632 -----Original Message----- From: IBM Mainframe Discussion List [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Ed Gould Sent: Friday, July 27, 2007 12:45 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: z/OS job market (I could just scream!) On Jul 27, 2007, at 9:57 AM, Chase, John wrote: John, In the early 70's when I was in the Army, I was told that I could not go to any Iron Curtain country (except W. Berlin but needed orders for that) because of the security clearance I had. I did travel all over Europe (hit most of the countries) except Greece. I am still sorry I didn't make it to there. I just got in my car and went anyplace I could. I had 7 days (every other week) to make it there and come back. Ed ---------------------------------------------------------------------- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html ***************************************************************************** If you wish to communicate securely with Commerce Bank and its affiliates, you must log into your account under Online Services at http://www.commercebank.com or use the Commerce Bank Secure Email Message Center at https://securemail.commercebank.com NOTICE: This electronic mail message and any attached files are confidential. The information is exclusively for the use of the individual or entity intended as the recipient. If you are not the intended recipient, any use, copying, printing, reviewing, retention, disclosure, distribution or forwarding of the message or any attached file is not authorized and is strictly prohibited. If you have received this electronic mail message in error, please advise the sender by reply electronic mail immediately and permanently delete the original transmission, any attachments and any copies of this message from your computer system. ***************************************************************************** ---------------------------------------------------------------------- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
