At the time I left this hardship assignment (to me, ALL assignments in the States were "hardship assignments") with the 2nd Armored Division Band, we worked out of a vermin-infested, WWII-vintage clapboard firetrap theater. Flying cockroaches and a nest of otherwise friendly skunks abounded. NCOs I worked with were either homesteaders and drifted between one of two assignments at Hood (the other band being the 1st Cav) and Korea or, like me, worked to escape that hellhole.
Homesteading there was not an option, so I used a reenlistment option and Got The **** Out of There. Went back to Germany where I spent the rest of my career - another 12 years.
So you can imagine shock when I returned to this location. The Army has pumped billions into this post. A helluva lot more money than they were pumping back in 1982.
I came back to pick up a new euphonium I'd ordered from the guy with whom I'd studied the instrument and his young protege, who is not so young anymore. Fabulous people. Played a concert with the civilian band I'd played in while I was here so long ago and some of the same people were still playing, of them a lot grayer, but still very capable players.
Here's a pic of me on the far right with the new euph and a couple of Berlin alumni, who also have found their way to Hood where they are retired Army bandsman. Good to chew the fat and make music again with these guys. Kinda like a mini-reunion.
