October 2014

Friends, Fans, Supporters, and Visitors

It is with a heavy heart that I must apologize for shirking my responsibilities to you. I undertook these responsibilities back in 1997 when I created the first rendition of BerlinBrigade.com.

These responsibilities included updating the website to ensure that long lost friends could find each other. Over the years, I have tried to keep up with that. However, as you and I both know life happens.

Spending time with the family gets top priority. Then comes work, we have to do that dirty deed in order to pay the bills, keep food on the table, and keep the kids clothed, and so on. Now add that together with the unexpected and there we go. The things we want to do suffer because of the things we need/must do. I am not telling you anything new.

What I am telling is before you know it 17 years have gone by and what do I have to show for it?

A LOT!!!

I have met some wonderful people. Heard about people re-connecting after so many years. The stories. The stories have been wonderful. I feel so very honored and privileged to be the one that heard the stories right from the source. You.

Thank you. I will always be grateful.

At BerlinBrigade.com, I will always continue to be grateful to be the caretaker of your memories, words, and images. It is an honor and a responsibility that I have never shirked.

What I did shirk was keeping you updated and informed. 

Therefore, I will let my actions speak for themselves and not my words. 

In the past days, numerous individuals have written to me expressing their shock at the sudden closure of a favorite and honored Berlin Brigade related website. Why it closed may never be known to the rest of us, we have to respect the decision as to why the website was closed. I was not told or given and explanation to pass along to others. I am just as saddened and shocked as the rest of us were when we found out it closed. 

I am certain that I am safe in saying that ALL of us will always be thankful and grateful for Reinhard von Bronewski’s support, dedication, and commitment to the US Army Berlin Brigade and its Soldiers and Airmen. Thank you Reinhard!

Rest assured folks; at this time, there are NO plans to close BerlinBrigade.com. However, I will be curtailing some of the activities on the website and introducing new areas.

I will spearhead a new section on the BerlinBrigade.com website. It will be dedicated to educating Elementary, Middle School, High School, and College students about the Berlin Brigade, its mission, and what the men and women did to support and defend the city of West Berlin.

I know that over the years, I have wanted to launch this and I have asked for help from some of you but none of that has yielded any positive results. Therefore, I am not going to wait around for others to provide their content. Look for the new section in the coming days (NOT weeks).

For those that want to contribute there will an area that will explain how you can do that.

One last thing, Thank you for your continued support.

-Dave

July 2014

Here we meet again. The first half of 2014 is over and now we start the fast slide down to the holidays. Where does the time go? Seriously, just when we get used to writing 2014 on our checks we now have to get our minds wrapped around writing 2015. 

In the meantime, there are plenty of things going on here, there, and everywhere. 

Of course, we just celebrated our Nation’s Independence Day on the fourth. Did you know that 4 July is also BERLIN BRIGADE UNIT DAY? That is right, it was designated that in 1962 in recognition of the day the US Forces assumed the occupation of their sector in Berlin back in 1945. 

In France, July 14 is their National Day or “Bastille Day” the day that commemorates the start of the French Revolution or the storming of the Bastille. 

July 20 is Moon Day commemorates the day man first walked on the moon in 1969, 45 years ago. 

That’s about it for holidays or other important days in July with the exception of National Ice Cream Day (July 20/ 3rd Sunday of the month) & National Lasagna Day (July 29). 

On a side note, many of the older Veterans will remember that on July 12, 1973 a fire destroys the entire sixth floor of the National Personnel Records Center of the United States. Things have not been the same since. 

A little closer to home, it was on July 25, 1961 US President John F. Kennedy gives a speech emphasizing that any attack on Berlin is an attack on NATO. Check out our website and Facebook page on the 25th for a little something on President Kennedy’s speech. 

Have a great rest of your July.

World Cup 2014: USA vs. Germany (June 26, 2014)

Hello und Wie Gehts?  How are you? June 26, 2014. What a great day!

The title of this blog post is something that we have been familiar with for so very long: USA vs. Germany.

This time USA vs. Germany is all about the soccer pitch.  We knew this day was coming.  We knew this day was going to happen.  We have been excited and looked forward to this day since the 2014 World Cup group selections were announced.  When the United States was put in the same group as Germany, many of us on both sides of the Atlantic began looking forward to this day.

Well, that day is today! Who do we cheer for?

Many of us will cheer for the United States.  Many others will cheer for Germany.  Today, however, I find myself in a unique situation, I am cheering for both.

Born and raised in the United States, I cheer for the United States because that is my home team.  Having such a deep bond and a deep connection with Berlin and Germany, I cheer for Germany.  Then what makes it even more interesting is that there are five players on the U.S. team that have roots in Germany (dual citizenship) and the head coach is from Germany.  It can be difficult and deciding whom to root for becomes even more difficult.

Thus, I have decided that I will cheer for both teams and expect a very good match.  No matter who wins, loses, or ties, all of us are expecting a very good match in Brazil today.

Good Luck Team USA and Viel Glück Deutschland!

Who are you cheering for?

June 2014

(Für deutsche unten gehen, bitte)

Greetings,
Well here we are again. Another month and another chance to say Hello. I do hope this post finds you and your family and friends in good health. Personally, May 2014 was a good month until a member of my family was suddenly taken from us on the weekend of Memorial Day. Off we went on an even sudden trip to St. Louis, Missouri.

Next time, we go to St. Louis will be on a much more slower pace and rest assured I will be planning a deliberate get together for those of you in the area. Be on the lookout for something to happen around Thanksgiving 2014.

Now let's press on. Hopefully, June will be much better for all of us.

The month of June is full of plenty of pomp and circumstance. 

June: High School and College Graduations. Time to get those young citizens out from the behind the books and into the workplace. If you know someone that's graduating, recommend them US ARMY INFANTRY. (Sorry, but that's my personal bias).


June 6: 70th Anniversary of the D-Day Landings in Normandy. Take a moment to remember those soldiers that stormed the beaches and parachuted behind enemy lines. They started something that was left to last soldier in the Berlin Brigade to finish.


June 14: Flag Day. Fly that flag and be sure to send in your photos to BerlinBrigade.com either at dave at berlinbrigade.com or post them on our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/BerlinBrigade

June 15: Father's Day. Tell Dad we said "Happy Father's Day!"

June 21: Summer Solstice. The first day of Summer and it is also the longest day of the year. Remember, when we were in Berlin and we would go out to the clubs around 10pm, the sky would still be lit. Then when we would, finally, make it out, the sunlight was in full force. Talk about making a quick turnaround back into the club thinking we had not partied long enough.


There is plenty to do and see. Get out there, do and see something. Take some pictures and drop me a note about it dave [at] berlinbrigade.com


All The Way,
Dave Guerra
BerlinBrigade.com

Leadership Lessons of a Berlin Brigade Soldier: Introduction

Hello again! I am about to take to the next level something I have been working on for quite a long time but never went public with, that is until now. The following is the basis for a book that I have wanted to get really serious about and now the time has come to do so. This book is something that I would like to see as something that up and coming leaders can use as a reference in the modern workplace as I truly believe that famous quote by George Santayana: "Progress, far from consisting in change, depends on retentiveness. When change is absolute there remains no being to improve and no direction is set for possible improvement: and when experience is not retained, as among savages, infancy is perpetual. Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."

Therefore, we WILL revisit the past. Over the next 20+ weeks I will introduce one new addition to what I call "LEADERSHIP LESSONS OF A BERLIN BRIGADE SOLDIER." I will publish other content news and information in between these "chapters".

The premise is to show a new generation how we saw and did things in Berlin from 1945 to 1994. It was by doing these "things" with Dedication, Commitment, and Professionalism that we, the United States, along with our Allies (France and the United Kingdom) won the Cold War. Don't forget this is one Soldier's interpretation of how we did things. Therefore, if you will indulge me and if you could do me the honor and favor of providing feedback it would be greatly appreciated.

-Thank you, Dave Guerra

Leadership Lessons of a Berlin Brigade Soldier

INTRODUCTION

    When World War II came to an end, the city of Berlin took on a new and unique role; that of the center of the Cold War. It was here that the victors of World War II played their unique game. It was a game of move and counter move, strategy and tactic. It was a game that involved everyone that ever-set foot in the city and no one was immune, not even its citizens. However, there was a group of individuals who went to Berlin willingly and were influenced by the city, the Allies, and the Cold War.  Today many of those who served in the city, at anytime in its post-World War II history, specifically cite that being in Berlin and serving in the Berlin Command was the most pivotal point of their military career and their adult life. Personally, it was the place where I saw the world for what it really was; cold, harsh and very real. It was a place where life and death was marked by a strip of land sometimes no wider than a football field. It was a place that saw families ripped in two all because of which side of the street they happened to live on. It was the place where friendships that would last a lifetime were formed, it was also the place that fostered and improved my leadership abilities and skills. Since leaving the Berlin Brigade there has never been a time in my that has left me in awe about being part of something bigger than me, something that made me proud to say I was a U.S. Infantryman in West Berlin during the Cold War.

    This book serves as a reminder to those that served in Berlin during 1945 to 1994 about those things that were an everyday part of lives. This book for those that never served in Berlin but are interested enough to pick up this book and take a peek into our lives and learn a little bit about what made each of us not just soldiers, and professionals but true Leaders for the rest of our lives.

    While the 20 chapters of this book might seem like a lot to someone that never served in the city but for those that served 110 miles behind the Iron Curtain this is but the tip of the iceberg. I know that I am leaving out many, many unique aspects of the Berlin Brigade (and that may be for the next four books). I assure you that what you will read is but a sliver of our day-to-day lives in Berlin.

    Now almost 20 years since the Berlin Brigade was deactivated, the lessons that we learned and lived then are still very much a part of lives today. The lessons in leadership that are presented in this book are part of who we are and it is our mission to continue to instill and pass along those lessons to others that we encounter no matter what they do. It is my intention to do my part to honor my fellow members of the Berlin Brigade by providing the tools by which we can continue to show what being a member of the Berlin Brigade meant to us and what these lessons in Leadership can do in your own unique situation.

    The Berlin Brigade had a brief, yet honored tradition and unique history as part of the US Army. Today, those that served continue to be faithful to that tradition and history. Therefore, this book is solely dedicated to all who served in the Most Illustrious and Unique unit in the history of the United States Army: The Berlin Brigade.

== Next Week: #1 The Citizens of Berlin ==

The Occupation of Berlin: You are leaving Sector signs 1945-1990

Here is a little video I did about the "You are leaving the American Sector" signs that were all over the perimeter of the American Sector in West Berlin. However, these signs were all over East and West Berlin but written so as to depict which sector you were leaving.

-Enjoy

July 2013 Book of the Month: Death On Devil's Mountain by David Von Norden

The BerlinBrigade.com July 2013 Book of the Month is "Death On Devil's Mountain" by David Von Norden

"Death on Devil's Mountain" is written by David Von Norden, a former member of the ASA, based out at US Army's former listening outpost on top of Berlin's Teufelsberg.

The Amazon.com website describes this exciting book as "The Summer of Love is past. The Cold War is heating up. Thousands of young men are being drafted for the conflict in Southeast Asia and hundreds more enlist in the hope of some choice of assignment. The best of these volunteers are channeled into the Army Security Agency and the brightest of this group gets sent to the National Security Agency's most important listening post,The Hill, in West Berlin. Teufelsberg, the Germans call it. The Devil's Mountain, a monument constructed from the rubble and ruins of the crushed German capital. But there is something terribly wrong in the 54th ASA Special Operations Command. People are dying. Death on Devil's Mountain depicts the twisted macramé of intelligence work, its effect on the 'civilians in uniform', and the mounting rancor of enlisted men against the cadre of sergeants and 'lifers'. This unit of hand picked misfits is a natural choice for a mad CIA-operated experiment code named MK-ISLAND. An experiment gone awry."


You can order your copy of "Death On Devil's Mountain" from Amazon.com

International Holocaust Remembrance Day 2013

Today, January 27, 2013, is International Holocaust Remembrance Day.

BerlinBrigade.com takes time to reflect on and remember the victims of the Holocaust, the genocide that resulted in the annihilation of approximately "6 million Jews, 2 million Gypsies (Roma and Sinti), 15,000 homosexual people and millions of others by the Nazi regime and its collaborators."

We, the Veterans of the US Army's Berlin Brigade, served in the city where all this began.

We are honored to have helped the city of Berlin, the country of Germany, the European Continent, and the World move forward and beyond those atrocities. However, we must always continue to take time and look back at the past to ensure that such horrors never happen again. To confirm that the events of today are no where close to what happened in the 1930s and 1940s are exactly why we need to remember and never forget.


The photo was taken by David Guerra, on November 8, 2009, at the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, also known as the Holocaust Memorial in Berlin.

It Was 23 Years Ago Today (November 9, 1989)

23 years ago on this day the world came to a sudden halt. So very few times in World History has one event been able to stop everything and make the world pay attention. November 9, 1989 is that day. The Fall of the Berlin Wall was the "astonishing event" that change the world.

I recorded a small video message to on the occasion of the 23rd Anniversary of the Fall of the Berlin Wall.

Congratulations to Germany and the World!

A Cold War of Spies and Swaps and Berlin...

Yesterday, a friend asked me what I thought about the recent spy swap that took place between the United States and Russia. I told him that it was no big deal as spy swaps have been occurring for as long as there have been spies that have been caught and it obviously continues after the fall of the Berlin wall. Swapping Spies will continue long into the future.

This time the question should be why did the exchange take place in Vienna and not in Berlin?

First a little history: since the end of World War II there have been numerous spy swaps that took place between in what was formerly known as East Germany and West Berlin. The swaps to place at a bridge connecting West Berlin to East Germany, the bridge was called (and still is) Glienicke Bridge otherwise known as the Freedom Bridge. The most famous of the Glienicke Bridge spy swaps was that of U2 pilot Francis Gary Powers and Rudolf Ivanovich Abel on February 10, 1962. Then over the years many other exchanges took place on that bridge. The last known official spy swap took place on February 11, 1986 when Soviet Jewish dissident Anatoly Shcharansky was exchanged for nine other alleged and convicted spies.

Now to answer the question of why not Berlin? The answer is quite simple. There is no more West Berlin; there is no more army of occupation. From 1945 to about 1991 the British, French, and U.S. Armed forces occupied the city of West Berlin and the Soviet Forces occupied East Berlin. That meant that the respective occupying governments governed both sides of the Berlin wall. It also meant they controlled how information processed and disseminated within the city of West Berlin. Therefore, when an exchange took place it took place out in the open but under tightly controlled conditions. That meant the media circus was kept to a few official military photographers and videographers that would release images to the top media exchanges of the day such as the Associated Press (AP), United Press International (UPI), and Reuters.

To even attempt the type of exchange that took place in Austria on the tarmac of the city's Vienna International Airport in the city Berlin would only be feasible if it took place on one of the city's currently operating two airports (Tegel Airport or the soon to be Berlin Brandenburg International Airport (BBI)). In this the modern, 24/7 always on world there are very few locations that are still under government control where access control is highly maintained. This makes airports such suitable facilities, for several security reasons there are areas that will never be photographed up close and there are certainly several areas, on the airport grounds, where aircraft can sit uninterrupted for extended periods of time where such exchanges can take place. This is especially important when the anonymity of the participants is not only needed but also expected.

The answer to the question of when can the next Spy Swap take place in Berlin? So long as the next spy swap happens after Berlin Brandenburg International Airport officially opens in 2012, Berlin can be next. Currently, Berlin Schönefeld Airport (Flughafen Berlin Schönefeld) is undergoing an expansion that will accommodate the air traffic generated with the closure of Tempelhof Airport in 2008 and Tegel Airport in 2012 when Berlin Schönefeld, which will be renamed to Berlin-Brandenburg International, will be ready for operations. At this time, BBI is full of construction equipment and personnel throughout the airport and the city of Berlin’s growth around Tegel Airport makes both sites not conducive to executing such spy swaps. However, in 2012 Berlin can then reclaim it's standing as the premier "Spy Swap" location on the planet.

In the meantime, back in the Gulf of Mexico...

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