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Post by MSG Fallon retired on Aug 26, 2008 20:17:02 GMT -8
Well friends, Rivers Barracks was a great place to serve, learn and be exposed to all of the odd rituals associated with this place. I have enjoyed this site and seeing the words left by those who went before and then after me. I see that we made the long red line a reality, in a remote corner of Giessen.
My experience was that the it was a place to live life in the Army, the Field Artillery and Germany. Can you forget what happened if a new recruit showed up when people were about? I do and that was my first experience at Rivers, "Cruit" is a term burned in my memory. It was the cold war, and this place was "the zoo", but it was Red Leg Country with a flavor all it's own on the back side of the famous "Fulda Gap". I served in HHB 2/92 from 79 - 82 in the BN FDC and then as the FDC section chief A-2/92 for all of 1983.
Frequent Alerts, Graf trips, Wildfleckens, REFORGER Duties and even day trips to Annerod for crew drills were on order to keep us ready. Lots of time in the motor pool working in all the seasons or summer ball games on the field or marching around on that quadrangle. Who can forget the "Reserve Force" tours or the pizza window at the Rendezvous Club. Remember the movies late on Saturday night in the theater? I often think about the trips to the BP station across Licher Str. for Beer? I recall early on the value of the special team counseling session at the 2nd floor snack bar or warming up at the bowling alley in the motor pool on a freezing winter day... Things like FADAC and TACFIRE are all part of my experiences in this special place that had all the big guns with characters to match the caliber!
Yes, many of the stories are indeed legend. But one thing I do know, is I owe thanks to the many soldiers and NCO's who made it a great place to be. While many characters were memorable, a few less than perfect and a some one never wants to meet again.. it was a place rich in experience and variety. One that we remember fondly.
Great place to be. Special mention to the larger than life red legs who made the adventure an experience of a lifetime:
1SG Nitch, SSG Odom, SGT Curtis, 1SG Nichols, SFC Quandt, CPT Morton, SFC Kidd, Maj Moon, SFC Mayes, SP4 Herrera, Sgt Brandon, SGT Maish, SGT Jackson and the rest from the 2/92 during those times. I hope life has treated you well.
Thank you for a job well done.
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Post by Scott Antworth on Oct 29, 2008 19:26:42 GMT -8
How cool is it to stumble onto this site? --And MSG Fallon, it appears we had at least some overlap time in A 2/92. I was in Alpha Battery from October '83 until Oct. '85 (& from there to B 3/8 FA, Ft. Bragg, til '87.) I laughed out loud when I saw "the Zoo" in your thread heading. Twenty-odd years later I still think of Rivers as the Zoo (so named, if I recall, because on the tops of the fences, the concertina wire sloped in rather than out--as in to keep folks in...) I can't remember how many "Graf's" I managed, something like 6-7. Wildflecken (1) and the "famed" winter Reforger, Jan-Feb. '85. Annerod was usually a 1-3 night stay for us and was predictably one of the best places around to see an M110 howitzer get buried over the hubs in that marvelous oatmeal-consistency mud.
Wow, I'd all but forgotten the Rendezvous Club's food window--or ducking in to warm up in the bowling alley (not a bad hot dog, if memory serves). I'd completely forgotten about the movie theater...though not the multi-mile PT runs to the monastery.
Of the names you mentioned, only one is familiar: Major Moon. In Alpha Btry, we also had (at the same time) SP4 Jupiter and SP4 Mars. The BC in '83 was CPT McGibboney (kind of a clumsy feller), replaced by CPT Larry Holder. Me, I was a cannoneer for most of my time there, save for about 6 months as unit armorer.
The place you mention across Licher Strasse? Bruno's?
I hope life treated you well, Master Sergeant. Thanks for the flood of memories.
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Post by MSG Fallon on Nov 17, 2008 11:44:01 GMT -8
Scott - Thanks for the reply. You got the right answer for the reason for the famous name - in the ZOO - the wire faced in!
CPT McGibboney and CPT Holder were both in A 2/92 on my tour. I knew CPT Holder before when he was the BN FDO - Good FA man. SPC Razo was a driver for the infamous John O - the larger than life character. SFC Kramer was the CFB - he taught me a lot and was very professional - sharp. SGT Kevin Jackson took my place and I thought much of him. Most of the others were spread around the BN from 80-83. I did run into some 2/92 alumni from these times during the rest of my Army career. A few in the 7th Division (Ft Ord) and later in the 56th FA CMD (Pershing) when I served in these units. I went back to Rivers in the late 88 for a short visit. Much had changed, but I was surprised how powerful the great memories were and still are to this day.
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Post by mikebailey on Feb 2, 2009 20:49:28 GMT -8
I was in Special Weapons from Nov 81 to Nov 83; A Battery 2/92. The one thing I will always remember about John O. was something he told me when we were talking about me re-enlisting. “Being in the army is like having a baby, when you get old you won’t remember all the times it pissed or puked on you, but you will remember moments such as the first step or his first ball game” He was a wise man for all his bluster.
Mike Bailey
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Post by ed farnell on Apr 11, 2009 20:12:37 GMT -8
funny story on capt holder (at least to me). we were doing reforger, and as you remember ,little slleo the first few days. seemed like when my shift was coming up we would need to move. Finally got to get some sleep. I just grabbed my sleeping bag out of the truck and threw it on the ground and ,bam was asleep, woke up with a wet bag (so tired i pee'ed my bed) , not one to let a little urine stop my sleep, i threw the bag back in the truck and grabbed another bag and got more sweet sleep. Capt Holder went to get his bag to get some sleep next day and said "My bag smells like piss" , i could not stop laughing.
I was in your unit Msgt. Fallon. HHB 2/92 with SFC Hamlin (khalid) sure am spelling name wrong, and john blocker ed murphy, bert,
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Post by Sgt Curtis on May 28, 2009 17:01:15 GMT -8
;D Yeah MSG(r) Fallon is absolutely right ...this place was a "zoo". But loved every minute of it. Going to Graf was always the big adventure for me. Rail loading of the Guns,Tracks and all the stuff that followed was adventurous team building. Who can forget the cold showers after a week in the mud. Only thing more cold than those"hot"showers were the winters days in Wildflecken! Three years in Rivers was a fine time and glad to have made someone's list of important people for what heppend a while ago.
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Post by PFC Diienno on Oct 10, 2009 4:04:34 GMT -8
Wow... Sgt Brandon He was the best to work for. There was one time in Graf when me and J.Lundrgin played one hell of a joke on him. He was terrified of bore hogs...remember? We losened his tent and snorted like one...well, he ran out screaming his brains out! He was good about it. We laughed alot
Life in the zoo was the best. Don't forget 2nd LT Hall. He was great too.
From Cruit to p-funk in no time!
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Post by joemorgan on Apr 4, 2011 14:12:32 GMT -8
hey yall glad to see some of you are still kicking around yes the "ZOO" was a specail place to all of us one way or the other I was in B Btry 13B mostly in ammo the better half of my time there. I was there from 79 to 82 lot of time has past sence I left darn shame they closed her down most of us are grandparents now as I am to go back and do it again I wouldn't change a thing I am sure. I wish you all the best of luck and a long life and enjoy it you only get one chance at it yall take care now "Red DEVIL" all the way .
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Post by 2LT1LTCPT Hall on Jun 21, 2011 20:35:00 GMT -8
Hey all you RED DEVILs ! All you CHARLEY DOGS! HHB DEVILS! Its really good to read all these 2/92 postings! Sometimes I really wish i could step back in time but hey, the memories will have to do! I've been out of touch now for a few years but had maintained good contact with CPT's Bosack (A,SVC, S-3) and Hamill (C)......but moved again. Don't miss the c-rats or mre's but for the sake of reminiscing, I'd eat some! What a great time in my life River's was...and all the Red Devils out there....seems like a lifetime (or two ) ago! Hello to C-Btry FDC! and Diienno, I remember the boarhog incident! Lindgren got me when i went out to make a radio check on the BCs radio....and I think it was you that grabbed my ankle from under the jeep when i stepped out! WOW! Hillarious! 1SGT Jackson and SFC Moore HHB when I had Command hope you find this, hope you are well. I hope life turned out to be what everyone hoped it would be, if not, don't give up..things can change! RED DEVIL !!!
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sp4 kevin huddleston
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Post by sp4 kevin huddleston on Sept 7, 2011 4:46:21 GMT -8
hello msg(r) Fallon i remember when you first came to rivers you may not remember me but i drove for the bn cmdr ltc whitmore and ltc nickens the csm rogers and shinpoch it was really good reading your post i think back on my days at the zoo and all the guys i served with the beer at brunos the muddy motor pool the long walk to depot its good to see that you stuck it out and retired i wish i had i did my 9 years and got out do you remember the Nijmegen the 100 mile march? i was on it that was a very wonderful experience for me you can contact me at huddlestonkevin57@yahoo.com if you or any other red devil would like to chat about old times it would really be nice to hear from you guys
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Post by MSG r Fallon on Nov 29, 2011 15:04:56 GMT -8
Wow - great to see your note. Yes I remember you well and fondly. You were the guy who picked us (PVT Smith and PVT Walsh were with me on the ride from 21st repo depot as well) up at the Giessen train station to report in to the BN. I vividly remember you in your bright red FA jacket (Ft Sill) at the station in December 1979. This was everyone's first assignment and that incredible memory is burned into me. What a great time. Will send you a note to catch up.
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Post by SPC Hollandsworth on Feb 23, 2012 16:44:15 GMT -8
Well friends, Rivers Barracks was a great place to serve, learn and be exposed to all of the odd rituals associated with this place. I have enjoyed this site and seeing the words left by those who went before and then after me. I see that we made the long red line a reality, in a remote corner of Giessen. My experience was that the it was a place to live life in the Army, the Field Artillery and Germany. Can you forget what happened if a new recruit showed up when people were about? I do and that was my first experience at Rivers, "Cruit" is a term burned in my memory. It was the cold war, and this place was "the zoo", but it was Red Leg Country with a flavor all it's own on the back side of the famous "Fulda Gap". I served in HHB 2/92 from 79 - 82 in the BN FDC and then as the FDC section chief A-2/92 for all of 1983. Frequent Alerts, Graf trips, Wildfleckens, REFORGER Duties and even day trips to Annerod for crew drills were on order to keep us ready. Lots of time in the motor pool working in all the seasons or summer ball games on the field or marching around on that quadrangle. Who can forget the "Reserve Force" tours or the pizza window at the Rendezvous Club. Remember the movies late on Saturday night in the theater? I often think about the trips to the BP station across Licher Str. for Beer? I recall early on the value of the special team counseling session at the 2nd floor snack bar or warming up at the bowling alley in the motor pool on a freezing winter day... Things like FADAC and TACFIRE are all part of my experiences in this special place that had all the big guns with characters to match the caliber! Yes, many of the stories are indeed legend. But one thing I do know, is I owe thanks to the many soldiers and NCO's who made it a great place to be. While many characters were memorable, a few less than perfect and a some one never wants to meet again.. it was a place rich in experience and variety. One that we remember fondly. Great place to be. Special mention to the larger than life red legs who made the adventure an experience of a lifetime: 1SG Nitch, SSG Odom, SGT Curtis, 1SG Nichols, SFC Quandt, CPT Morton, SFC Kidd, Maj Moon, SFC Mayes, SP4 Herrera, Sgt Brandon, SGT Maish, SGT Jackson and the rest from the 2/92 during those times. I hope life has treated you well. Thank you for a job well done.
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Post by SPC Hollandsworth on Feb 23, 2012 17:05:43 GMT -8
I think of life at the Zoo often. I arrived there as a PFC and was wondering why I was being called a cruit from all the barracks when I first arrived. I soon caught on. I was in HHB Survey platoon. I was first roomed with SGT Curtis from AZ and SPC Herrarah from NM. It was May of 80. Loved the PT out the back gate, very diffrent from what I was used to at Fort Sill. Many walks to the BP for Licher Export or Pilsner. I remember 1SG Nitch telling us to do drill and ceremony every Friday morning. We would march straight to the mess hall and that was our Drill and Ceremony. Remember many miles in a Gamma Goat. Once broke down going to Graf and spent the day along the road side. I remember SPC Wildberger, and myself skiing in Garmish. I remember Spc Perry from Maine, SPC Fabian from IN, SPC Fowler from GA, SPC Westendorf from MI, SPC Warren from OH, MAJ Shoemacker, visiting the Canadian club at Graf. I left the zoo in Sept 81.
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Post by staffduty on Jun 22, 2012 18:08:30 GMT -8
Hey MSG Fallon. MAJ Moon's POV got blown-up at Marshall Housing by those low life Red Brigade terrorists. Who can forget "Lariat Advance" on a cold Monday morning in the cool pool and you knew life sucked when they handed out convoy credits (We're rollin' to the ATP!). Was there when we lost a troop in those dark, wet and cold woods of Oppenrod, he suffocated sitting in the gunners seat and we hooked a tree between the spade and the hull and it pulled it down on him, hell of a way to die... Long live the Red Devils! Was there for TACFIRE and BCS. We had email and didn't even know it. Long live Licher Bier!
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Post by staffduty on Sept 25, 2012 19:03:19 GMT -8
Red Devils, Ten Hut! Go to Google Earth and find Giessen then look for the Zoo. I served in Two Niner Two from 84 to 87. Went back in 09 to Rivers, took good, copiuos photos of the the old joint. Man, it brought back memories, a lot of feelings. The old kaserene looked pretty good. King of Battle Baby!
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