In the late 1970s and early 1980s, roughly my kindergarten through fourth grade years, my family lived in a military housing complex outside of Heidelberg, West Germany, known as Patrick Henry Village. There was at least one other major housing center in the area, Mark Twain Village, but this blog attempts to tell some of the stories of PHV, its host city of Heidelberg, and the surrounding area.
While looking up information on my old stomping grounds, I found myself lingering on the Google Maps image of Patrick Henry Village, which you can see here. It probably doesn’t look like much to the average viewer, but to me it was a treasure trove of stories and experiences. It seemed that almost every inch of the place evoked some memory, and I spent a long time scrolling back and forth, zooming in and out, and remembering. As time went on I found myself wanting to record some of these stories and experiences, and finally I realized that a blog would be the perfect format.
The plan is to jot down these memories in non-chronological order and paint a picture of what it was like for a young boy growing up in an American compound in a foreign nation, and how for us kids it was much more than just an apartment complex for soldiers and their families stationed overseas. I’m guessing that many of the wild locations and adventures revealed in these blogs may have been secrets long-kept by the schoolchildren of PHV…a sort of Neverland that went undiscovered by the mothers and fathers stationed there.
If you also spent part of your childhood in PHV, or if you were stationed there as an adult, hopefully these blog entries will inspire memories of your own which I’d love to hear in the comment sections. I know there are more of you out there, I’ve caught hints and whispers of you as I’ve done some internet research on the area. And if you’ve never been to PHV, never been to Germany, or never had any association with the US military, then my hope is that these stories will still entertain and trigger pleasant memories of your own personal Neverland.
Patrick Henry Village 
It’s so great to have found this site on PHV. I lived in the Heidelberg area from 1972 to 1976. We first lived in Wiesloch on the economy. I went to 3rd grade at MTV Elementary. We later moved to PHV, 31-D Alamo Circle. 4th grade with Ms. Philipps, 5th grade with Ms. Hammond and 6th grade with Ms Smith. So many great memories. The yearly carnival was so much fun. Getting to go to the Strauss by the teen club on special occasions for lunch. Crawling under the fence to get to Lizard Hill and pick Blackberries. Sneaking out the back gate in the Officers housing area to ride out bikes to Eppleheim. Our sixth grade ski week to Austria was a blast. Our building on 2 occasions got evacuated because of bomb scares, very terrifying. I have visit PHV a few times since we moved back to California. My sister’s husband was stationed there for 2 years and I got to visit them for Christmas 1987. Everything looked so much smaller than when I lived there. I love reading all of your posts.Wish I knew where all my old friends are.
Hi Christopher–we must have been in the 5th grade together–I was in Ms. Hammond’s class for 5th grade the year before the Middle School opened–and did a few months there before we PCS’d back to the States. We moved back to Heidelberg in August 1978 so I was at HMS for 8th, then HHS for 9-11.
Somewhere I have a class photo from Ms. Hammond’s class.
I was in Ms Hammomd’s class 1974-75, 2 years before the Middle school opened. I was in Ms. Smith’s 6th grade class 1975-76. I moved back to the states April of 1976 and would of started at the new Middle School in 7th grade.
Hey just found this site and oh the memories it is bringing back. Barry Finch we must have been at the high school together. I was a freshman there in 78-79, actually got jumped ahead a year coming from a private school, and played on the JV soccer team. We actually won the german championship that year. Looking at google earth brings back so many memories – the bowling alley, the movie theater (where we saw Cheech and Chongs’ up in smoke – talked my parents into taking me and my dad was appalled). There was a small german restaurant you could get to by slipping through a hole in the far right fence where we went to drink beer, we were long-haired little hippie kids and I don’t think they loved us being there but they allowed it. Best chicken cordon blu I ever had. My father was deputy commander for a while and we lived in the single homes but I had lots of friends in the barracks. Saw Journey the band I think in Bonn. Used to sell cigarettes that we got from the PX to the Germans. Got in all kinds of trouble when I was there. Was a rebellious nut job back the and put my parents through hell. Great to find this and can’t wait to read some of the stories everyone has written. Thanks for putting this together. Say hello if you might remember me. Tip Atkeson
Hi, Chris. I graduated from HHS in ’77. Elaine Stewart back then😊
Hey brindgingmom, all…
I graduated from HHS in 75′ as a junior. This blog brings back so many great memories. I feel more than ever like a army brat – which was a amazing adventure. My family was stationed in Germany two times during my childhood from 60-62 in Kitzingen and then from 65-75+ in Heidelberg. I lived in PHV from 65-68 and then by army law we were required to move onto the economy. We lived in Schwetzingen right near Tompkins barracks for a few years and later lived just outside of PHV. I left in 75′ after graduation and came back to the US to live with my brother.
Each time we went to Germany we traveled 2 weeks across the Atlantic on an ocean liner – so cool. The ship had everything – stores, movie theater, dining, events ….. A little scary when your cabin portal goes under water or when we hit rough seas…. I am always reminded by my brothers how much I cried because they wouldn’t let me fish/catch the porpoises riding the bow of the ship. Was a great pastime to watch cartoons at the theater. Loved Rockey and Bullwinkle….
Reading some of the other blog entries brings back so many great memories. Honestly not sure how I survived childhood but that is another story. I remember picking green beans and other from farmers fields just outside the tennis courts, but only after clearing with the farmer. My brother had been shot in the butt with rock salt once before by the farmer when messing around on his property. Lpved exploring the old WWII ravaged farm house in the same area up the road and finding an old german coat and helmet. Going to the gummy store in Eppelheim buying coca cola, pacifiers, snakes, etc. gummies and selling them on base for 5 cents a piece. Yes I was pushing gummies…. lol. Watching the firework illuminations on the Rhine and boy what a party. Exploring the Heidelberg castle and history of Heidelberg. I was part of the party crowd – skinny dipping at the rock quarry, climbing up into a broken out ancient watch tower with lots of beer to watch illumination from mountain side. Times and place were different – and one of our favorite spots was a gasthaus just up the road outside the back gate of the officer’s quarters. Must admit even at 13 and up (no where near 21) they would serve us a full liter of good german beer without question. A class ring in a liter usually meant you had to chug it …..
While there I wouldn’t be what you would call the school athlete – I was althetic but my games were tennis, bowling and motorcyles (brother raced in germany). My mother dedicated her life to the PHV bowling alley. Her name was Ruby – a grey haired 50+ spunky sweet hearted woman. She ran the bowling alley for the full time I was there and loved bowling. You may have met or know her. In the early days my brother ran the teen club. I worked there as well after school, spending a bit of time working and improving my pool and ping pong skills 🙂
High school at HHS is a completely new blog from my point of view…. loved the school .. deserves a blog all by itself.
Reflecting on being an army brat I find much of who I am today is structured around my past experiences as a brat. I still address people as yes sir and yes mam, open doors for people and say thank you when they open a door for me, understand the meaning of being a community, don’t understand the social segregation of classes since we were all family of one social class regardless of race, creed, religion or color, rank. Although some of officers wives did tend to wear their husband stripes on their shoulders 🙂 Racial prejudice was something totally foreign to me when I returned in 75′. I wouldn’t give up the experiences I had for anything………
Loved your blog entry about your growing up in Germany and PHV. So much of what you wrote was familiar to me and brought back good memories. It was a wonderful life ! Thanks for sharing !
Let it Patrick Henry village from 1964 to 1967 went to Patrick Henry elementary school. They don’t San Juan Dr. and the officers quarters. Loved living on the post. Went back in 1998 and visited Heidelberg and Patrick Henry village what a lovely place my heart aches that they had to close the post. Would love to see a big reunion of all that go up there.
I believe that we were in the same 6th grade class with Ms. Smith. I’d like to talk to you.
Thanks Jan – such a great time for me and so many brats. Found a good link to others reflecting on PHV on facebook – https://www.facebook.com/pages/Patrick-Henry-Village/109788909047540
It was great to stumble on a blast to the past. So many people that also remember their childhood so vividly. Even street names! I also lived on Little Big Horn Strreet. A good location in view of the street from my bedroom window. Also 10 minutes walking distance to the H.M.S and also a 10 minute walk the other direction from my home to the bowling alley, library, & convenience store. I place myself in P.H.V. 1979-1981 (?) they discontinued pennies. The man at the convenience store said pennies aren’t worth the hassle. And that year instead of an icecream truck coming around the neighborhoods ..it was a small German car filled with candy & pantries. I regret not telling the German lady selling the stuff that she’s giving me silver dollar coins instead of quarters. I was ten or eleven yrs old.
I was also so impressed about so many people remembering their favorite teacher’s name. I had a teacher in 6th & 7th grade that i was so fond of i want to say his name is Mr Hall but the uncertainty is nagging at me if it was Mr Wall. I must know. Does anybody else remember the best literature teacher to ever exist on this earth…can you clear up my confusion.
Idk about Hall, but Ms. McCaller was the BEST writing teacher at HHS in the late 70’s.😀 Do you remember her, Christie?
It was Mr. Wall. I was there approximately the same time you were and your details are pinpoint accurate. I was fortunate enough to enlist in the military and get the same MOS as my father and return to Heidelberg in 1993 prior to the crazy shutting down of many installations in USAREUR. Some of my teachers were Frau Heitzmann (Frau Paternostro after marriage), Mr. Pike, Ms. Welch, Mr. Duggan and Mr. Johnson was still in the organization as Principal. I would have to say that this site makes a statement on how different and special it was to be a part of the Heidelberg family…I have experienced nothing like it until this day.
Well that explains why i kept having that nagging feeling that it was Mr Wall. Thank you im so grateful that you cleared that up. I wonder if we were classmates. I was the sensitive 6 grader that refused to dissect a frog & a cow’s eyeball. I just couldn’t do it. I remember hearing a couple of girls in agony while dissecting their frog’s so i wasn’t the only one grossed-out but i was the only one with a zero haha. Sensitive and slow…..
Slow because it took me an entire semester to realize the reason my classmates were laughing everytime i raised my hand saying “Miss frau” Lien Haha (not positive about last name)
It was Mr. Dade Wall
Does anyone know if you can visit the base today, and if so, how you go about doing that? My mom lived there in the early-mid 1960’s and I’d love to surprise her with a trip there. Thank you!
Unfortunately, the various facilities are beginning their redevelopment and those that are still sitting dormant are mostly under lock and key or guarded. PHV is currently being used for temporary refugee settlement and is closed to non-refugees. I have heard various accounts that the guards are private security contractors and are NOT friendly about efforts to persuade them to allow even a quick drive through. The city is in the process of finalizing plans for PHV’s redevelopment after the refugees are relocated. It will take several years to complete, but it is expected to be mixed use (half residential/half office/retail) with 10,000 residents and 5,000 jobs. Demolition is well underway on the west side of Roemerstrasse in MTV, but new buildings in the place of the old building footprints are already approaching the stage of completed foundation pouring. Buildings on the east side of Roemerstrasse have been mostly renovated and are back in service as residential areas for Germans though there are a few that remain vacant awaiting demolition. The MTV chapel was still intact, but fenced off and the Foodland building (across from Campbell’s main entrance) was mostly demolished. The high school is open as a German school (Julius Springer Schule) and the adjacent grade school is finalizing its refurbishment now. It will also become part of Julius Springer Schule. The city just recently formalized its plans to retain and refurbish the high school gym for city use. Campbell is still locked though I managed to find a partially open gate and was able to get my rental in there for a quick drive around. It was a ghost town. Redevelopment/demo has not yet begun at Campbell. Patton Barracks is just now beginning its demolition on its way to becoming a mixed use Innovation Park. Nearly all buildings of Patton will be torn down (the only two to be saved is one of the barracks buildings and the small chapel). The hospital complex is still intact, but vacant. I’m not sure about its redevelopment plan. I didn’t go to Tompkins, but it seems intact from my drive-by. Bottom line- yes take your mom to Heidelberg, but focus on Altstadt and its amazing qualities because the old USAREUR bases no longer offer much to sightseers. Cheers.
Wow, you have so much info! Sounds kinda depressing (old US army buildings, etc). Did you attend HHS? In the mid70s? If so, do you recall the English and creative writing teacher Ms. McCaller?
Thanks!
Elaine
Thank you for your interesting post. So much going on in my old neighborhood. We lived 15 years in the Heidelberg Military Community and my sons went through most of their school years there, graduating from Heidelberg High School, 2000, 2002. So sad that it is transforming.
I live in the Netherlands now. I lived in Heidelberg In the late 60’s I was in Heidelberg a few time each time it sad for me to watch the fall of the Military go. First time was 2003 when things where still good. All was open. Just had to have a US passport to go on the post. Made husband mad at the time because he just a Dutch passport lol. Then was back in about 2012. And it was all closed down. It was sad. I have some pictures.
My dad was in the US Army. I like most have lived all over. But always loved being in Europe. Maybe that is why I ended up in the Netherlands lol. I was in Heidelberg Germany In the late 60’s and in Munich in the 70’s Being that I live in Europe I have washed the US military bases Close all over. Its been a sad time to see this. I remember when they where open and we would love going down memory Lane. I would even go to my old house and talk to the people that lived in it then. It was wild. Then the gate came up and the close down. Yep, as I was taking some pictures it was all a little much. I’m happy I had the time in Germany. And love keeping up with some old friends.
I lived in MTV and HTV from 73 to 87. I was born in Weisbaden 1968 and moved to Mannheim, and than to Heidelberg.
Does anyone here know whether visitors can drive into Patrick Henry Village? I lived there for several years in the 1970s and plan to visit Heidelberg in a few days. Would love to drive by the old homestead but wonder if that is possible. Does anyone know?
Unfortunately, still not possible.
Lived in PHV ‘74-‘80 (K to 3rd grade). Enjoyed reading your blog and all the comments. Brings back such good memories. I was fortunate to bring my parents, husband and daughter back to Germany and were able to get on PHV a few years ago. It was completely empty and returning to the German government soon. Have a picture with my daughter outside my old bedroom window on San Juan.
I lived in PHV in 1964 to 1966
I just stumbled upon this PHV site…wow, so many memories! I lived there from ’77-’81. I lived on San Jacinto. I had Ms. Staley for Kindergarten (I think I was in the afternoon class, I remember each student had a clothes pin with his/her name on it, if a student was well behaved she moved his/her clothes pin onto a chart that meant we could climb on the indoor jungle gym in her classroom, I don’t think I ever got to climb on that darn thing). For 1st-3rd grades I was in the little primary school near the main elementary school (kids were picked randomly for that program and I remember feeling envious of the kids who got to go to the regular “big kids” elementary school). I had Ms. Stasovitch (sp?) for 1st, Mr. Moore for 2nd (he was also an actor, I remember my mom performed in a play or two with him at the Officers Club), and I had Mr. Hudgins (or Hutchins) for 3rd grade. I remember riding my bike all over PHV and climbing under the fence that separated our backyard from German farmland! I remember the red clay tennis courts that always stained my white tennis shoes and I remember the movie theater where I saw Star Wars, Grease, Superman, The Muppet Movie, The Right Stuff, and countless others! I also remember the little store near the theater where I could buy grape Fanta and candy bars (usually with money that my parents bribed me with while they spent countless hours playing tennis! I remember all the bazaars at the Officers Club, ordering way too many Shirley Temples at one of the bars at the Officers Club, eating pizza in the “Keller”, going to the annual carnival where my dad worked the hamburger station, and watching my dad play in some kind of annual Army baseball game! I have always had fond memories of the Leimen swimming pool and an ice skating rink that may have been around there too. My dad retired from the Army in ’81 so PHV was my last experience living on an Army base..before PHV we lived at Walter Reed in DC and Fort Lewis in Tacoma, WA.
I tried to read through as many posts to see if I recognized anyone who may have been there at the same time but no luck so far!
I had the same teachers for first and second grade, and actually the name Staley sounds familiar so maybe the same kindergarten teacher too. What year did you graduate high school? I’m class of 1990.
Hi Clarissa. I graduated from HHS in 77 then went away to college in Seattle. So I was in Heidelberg a little bit before you. I recall most of what you mentioned and the memories made me 🙂 Loved the Leimen pool, the officers club, movie theater. Remember Foodland? The tennis courts…I loved playing tennis there! Now in Heidelberg, remember Blimpy’s? Used to love going there for a burger. Of course the Raztkeller with those cool “cave” walls! Wow. Great times.
Omg, I finally found somebody who had Ms. Stasovitch & Mr. Moore!! They were both so awesome! I have tried to find them, but have had no luck. I remember that we would take fieldtrips to a local ice rink several times during the winter. We lived in PHV from ’75-’78 (don’t remember our address).
Yes, I’m 1990 also so we must have been classmates! I have a ton of my parents’ PHV/Heidelberg pictures so I may have the class photos too…I’ll have to do some digging! Do you mind me asking you what your name is? My name is Clarissa Reid, my dad was Gen. Spencer Reid…
I’m David Stallard. Your name doesn’t ring a bell immediately, but I struggle to remember any names from those days. Remember how all theee grades would gather in Mr. Moore’s room and sing songs with the lyrics written on a big paper page flipper? I remember “You Light Up My Life” and “I’d Like to Buy the World a Coke” being regulars in those gatherings.
I remember that too! I also remember Mr. Moore painting various numbers and math operations on our faces and then he would have all of us get up on stage and “create” and solve math problems! Another thing I remember about his class is if kids behaved well all week Mr. Moore would give out little certificates. I think once we earned 3 or 5 of the certificates we would get banana splits…I remember there was a little kitchen next to the classroom.
I just looked through all my dad’s photo albums and I found my class photos of K-3rd grade! My dad actually wrote all the names of the kids in Mr. Moore’s class under the class photo…there is a “David” sitting in the front row! I have so many other pictures of the school, field trips, the base, Heidelberg, and on and on…I can’t figure out how to upload any of them in the comments. Please let me know if you would like me to send you any of the pictures. Thanks!
I sent you an email on the side, definitely interested to see the pics!
phvarmybrat thank you for figuring out why my posts were not showing. Member k-e-m wrote after me that he had the same issue and had written a long story that did not post. Not sure why they showed up as spam. There is still a duplicate of my story on Jan 6 that showed up when you fixed the others. If there is a way of removing that one also that would be great (and this also). If not no worries and thank you so much for putting this site together.
Good stuff. Your site brings back lots of fond memories. I was in Heidelberg in 1st-3rd grade (1981-1983). I had Mrs. Ladson, Mrs. Hockett and Mrs. Webb, if I recall correctly. Anyone recall Lizard’s Hill, or LH, as we called it? How about the Brotchen Lady? O man, what I wouldn’t give for one of those cream-puffs right now.
We lived at 5D LIttle Big Horn. I graduated from Hberg in 1972. Miss Harrell (Vivian) was mentioned in the comments – she was my 5th grade teacher in Mannheim. I was roaming the halls in the high school one day and ran into her. It was jarring – and brought me down a few notches when she didn’t remember me like I remembered her. I returned to Heidelberg with the Army from 1974-76 and was stationed at Patton Barracks. In high school, I worked for Mrs. Estrada teaching kids to swim at the Leimen Pool. This was a program run under the auspices of the AYA. When I went back as a soldier, Mrs. Estrada pulled a few strings and I was able to spend the summer at the pool, teaching swimming again. I have so many fond memories of my time there. I was working in Stuttgart when Heidelberg shut down. I went up for the Homecoming Game and then made a point of driving through PHV a few times as I watched it slowly become a ghost town. It was a very sobering sight.
Omgosh Ralph! I had Vivian H. for my Psych class and, I think, my gov class at HHS. Loved her. Yes, she could be a bit “serious.” Stern? Probably too strong of a word for her. Anyway, I was VERY introverted in school – quite the wallflower…that is, until I was a junior. Then I discovered I could be funny. 😁 Anyway, you made my day, Ralph, writing about some of your (West) Germany experiences! And I do recall that Leimen pool. Was that the one where you swim from inside to the outside? Or, no, that was Miramar? Well, anyway, graduated in ’77. went to college in Seattle after that. Moved all around and now live in Alaska.
Hi Ralph,
I remember the Estradas! Yes, you brought back more memories my brain had set aside. It’s so fun to compare stories. Hi again BridgingMom too. 🙂
Does anyone remember the country setting Balkan restaurant near Campbell Barracks…popular with Americans and always delicious!
Hello Heidelberg friends. Does anyone know how to purchase a Heidelberg Middle School yearbook from 1979? I would love to get my hands on that yearbook. It has memories I would love to share with my children also it contains a pic of my all time favorite teacher Mr Wall.
Our neighbor is from Germany and she remembers in the 70’s a mansion whose owner had a real black panther they would watch waiting for the bus. A lot of military came and raided the mansion and a large cache of guns and ammo found in the basement. Man was arrested..but she can’t remember his name. Does anyone know who that could be?
Great article. I’m experiencing a few of these issues as well..
I lived in PHV on Alamo Circle 1987-1990 (3rd-5th). I think I had Ms. Robinson for 3rd Grade and a Mr. Junker for 5th grade math? Anyways, looking at that aerial photo you linked, helped me to remember exactly where I lived (the second to last building in the south west corner, 3rd floor end stairwell facing south). I remember that large oblong cleared area used to be a play ground. It was all sand with swings and a great wooden fort. I think there was a merry go round and see saws too. That ball court wasn’t there when I lived there, but I remember that tree would flip its leaves upside down when a storm was coming. My dad told my brother and me that we had to come inside when the streetlights came on. When it was dinner time, he would open the living room window and whistle really loudly. When we heard that whistle, it was time to RUN (not walk) home from the playground, usually for dinner.Then there was a wide patch of grass and some construction. I guess it was those two square buildings with courtyards in the middle. I thought that they were the middle school, but I don’t know for sure. Can someone verify? One time, my brother and I and a couple of our friends when clambering around in the construction dirt piles while our parents were still at work. It had been raining earlier, or maybe the day before and we were muddy to our hips. We went inside and cleaned up, but didn’t think about the stairway. My dad came home and saw all the mud, and OMG we got such a spanking! And then we had to sweep and mop the whole thing. One of the best things I remember is Andy the Candy Man. He would come around in his bright yellow truck and sell candy and ice cream to all the children. He was such a nice person!
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Thanks for the memories! My dad was also an officer and was in charge of the big “Volksfest” at PHV in 1977 and 1978. We started our Germany tour at Thomas Jefferson Village in Worms in 1976 and then moved to 29A San Juan Hill in PHV in the summer of 1977. I was in Mr. Counts’s 5th grade class. By the summer of 1978, Dad was ready to retire so we came back to the states.
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Hi. Hi I come from a different perspective in that my family was not military, however, my grandparents owned land (fields) right next to PHV and they would farm there. We would visit every other year and sneak into the village. We would enter by the tennis courts and were not questioned because we didn’t have accents. July 4th we would bring in our relatives to but American ice cream.
Thanks for your feedback and perspective.
The reason I know you could sneak in is because I snuck out a few times, not alone. We had learned to speak German pretty well and once we walked all the way to a town I think was schwetzingen.
Your style is really unique in comparison to other folks I’ve readstuff from. Many thanks for posting when you have theopportunity, Guess I’ll just book mark this web site.סעיף 9א לפקודת מס הכנסה
I remember walking to school going to the. movers for $1.00 dollar and sundays getting my the Stars and Stripes and going to the church . my dad worked when the church had booths and my dad was working and all the military family went there . I remember going to the Heidelberg castle on a class trip and I remember boy threw a stone Attleboro now I don’t stop it. I do have is water defrosting who has a master sergeant there Patrick Henry. And we lived across from the Field.I miss Patrick Henry more than anything
I am so excited to find this page!! Does anybody remember the pommes frittes truck that would drive thru the village? Those were the best fries ever!!
I graduated from Heidelberg in 1954 and left for the University of Michigan. Have lost contact with everyone and would love to re-connect with someone or at least an email. I was a cheerleader in 1953, 1954. The nickname of Skip last name Davis. email now is caroleduesler@yahoo.com I live in Newport Beach, CA
Spent many hours in PHV, however lived in BFV in Mannheim. I was there from 1956-1959. Worked at the AYA Camp in HB for two summers. Dated a few girls from HB.
I Lived on PHV Aug 58 until Feb 61. Went to AYA day camp two summers (59 and 60}
Great hearing from you!
You can send to this email address if thats ok.
Heidelberg stays on my mind more that any other place we had lived over the years
Thank you!
Dollarjulie4@gmail.com
Hello My name is John Walsh We were there in 72b to 76 I guess I gradusted in 74 a year early same year as my sister Jayne Walsh had a lot of fun while living in Hiedelberg I played Junior Varsity Football in 73 I believe we only lost 2 games all season same as Varsity Ron Baskin was Quarterback on Varsity he was known as Mad Dog then Names I remember off the top of my head right now are Ron Baskin David Lowe Ron Tipton Charles KKimmel We use to hang out a lot at the bowling alley good friends with the ones that ran the bowling alley there Son the old man and the mother
use to hangout at the teen club to played fussball was pretty good at it to knew alot of good players got kick out of the teen club for being drunk on winw bart on the maneger of the teen club he wasn’t to happy about that lol I left Hiedleburg after I graduated came back the states early my parents stayed another yearI went to South Caralina to stay with a friend I knew in Heidelberg Frank Kneely and Bud Kneely guess thats all I got right now had a Girlfriend named Judy her father passed away and they had to leave for the states I forgot her last name
I lived at 21c san juan hill from 70-74. My age was 8-12, 3rd – 7th grade. My memories are fading but I remember those as good years among my not all good years.
Hello fellow BRATS. My name is Steve Springstead (52 yo), I have two older sisters that went to high school in Heidelberg – Somjai and Mary. We lived in PHV (Alamo Circle) near the soccer fields in the early 80’s (80-83?). I went to Heidelberg Elementary and Middle School.
The first person that comes to mind when I think of Heidelberg is the best teacher I’ve ever had; Dr. James. Dr. James was my 4th grade teacher, and what made her special was that she really cared about each of her students. The fact that she’s mentioned in this post so many times give you an idea of how great she was. I know she made me a better student/person. Q: Does anyone know Dr. James’ first name? Is she still alive. I often think of her (“What would Dr. James say?”) and wish I could have an opportunity to thank her – she meant a lot to me.
Someone in an earlier post mentioned me writing a song in Dr. James’ class using everyone’s name and having some James Brown dance moves…I’m pretty sure they were referring to me (not too many Steve Springstead’s out there), but I honestly can’t remember doing that. I wish I could’ve seen or remembered myself doing those things now; I’m sure my wife and kids would have a good laugh.
Thank you to everyone that’s posted memories of living in Germany! Some of the memories that come to my mind are: The Brotchen Lady, Ice Cream Man w/ ‘Spaghetti Ice’, the bowling alley (steamed hot dogs/buns and video games – Astroids, Donkey Kong, Pac-Man, Joust….), playing marbles at dirt courts (decorating the Sucrete cans to hold your marbles), Being a Boy Scout in Troop #26 (Thanks Col. Lazzon(?) for teaching me so many things about Scouting), playing tag and jumping roof-roof on the wooden play forts, walking to school-Foodland-movie theater, reading comics at the store, playing on the tennis courts, visiting Heidelberg Castle, going to the swimming place, Friday Night DYA Dances (“Popping”, the Moonwalk, and the beginning of Break Dancing), Carnivals (bumper cars and “Der Kommisar” song playing thru speakers on repeat), and watching the Heidelberg Lions Varsity Football and Basketball Games are some of my best childhood memories.
Playing tackle football in the grass between the buildings and participating in youth football and basketball for the DYA (the Patriots – flag football, and the Vikings – Tackle), I learned how to be competitive. The other PHV DYA youth football team (the Packers) taught me to hate Green and Yellow, and I also learned to dislike the other youth teams that were associated w/ the Mannheim Bison, K-Town Raiders, Frankfurt Eagles, and all of the other high school bases around. I remember the pride and competition to represent our Base was pretty strong. I smile and laugh about it now when I tell my kids the stories, but it was serious stuff back then.
Some of the good friends I can remember hanging out with were: Dewayne Watson (Alabama – Roll Tide), Juan Turner, Dewayne Lewis (thanks for the black eye), James Woods (his sister, Wanda, was an awesome Basketball Player), Patty Parker (my first crush), Sharon and Nancy Rotten (lived upstairs), Leartis Dotson(?), and a lot of others that escape my mind now.
After Germany our family transferred back to Ft. Lewis – WA, we settled in the Lacy/Olympia area where my father retired. I graduated from Timberline HS (’89) and attended the University of Washington on a football scholarship. I still believe I was good at football because I learned to play with pride and be competitive from the other BRATS in Germany.
While attending UW, I was fortunate to be a member of the ’90, ’91’ 92 Rose Bowl Teams. We won the National Championship in ’91 (tied w/ Miami, but we would’ve destroyed Miami if we had a chance to play them). – Go Dawgs!
Similar to many on this post, I had a chance to visit Heidelberg for work (2017?), and was sad to see my childhood home of 3 years locked up & empty; PHV suffered the same fate of all of the other military bases Germany. It amazes me because their had to be thousands that lived in Patrick-Henry Village alone.
As I get older and reflect on my childhood, I can’t help but think how much my time living in Germany shaped the person that I am. Maybe the same is true for kids living in various neighborhoods across the US today, but somehow I think my experience was unique and different. Something about living on a base, in a foreign country, during the cold-war, without the luxuries of cable TV, the latest movies, music or Fads, all while relying on young enlisted military men/women as your parent’s, definitely created a unique experience that’s only shared by a lucky few. That said, wouldn’t change the experience for anything.
If anyone knows some of the people that lived on PHV in the early 80’s, had similar memories and wants to relive them…..I’d love to hear your stories and walk down memory lane with you.
Hi Steve, I lived in PHV in the early 60’s. Living in Heidelberg has the best memories of my life. We were so blessed to have those experiences.
Check out AOSHA and you’ll find PDF copies of Heidelberg High yearbooks.
AOSHS.org
John, thank you so much for the tip, I did not know this existed. Found photos of my MTV Kindergarten class 1971 with Miss Sheehy, even recognize the kids in my class . and drawings of many other teachers from that time, including my mother, Ms Zacharias, who also taught at PHV.
Too cool! I wish there was a way to submit class photos. I have mine from the 1970’s (’76, ’77, ’78). It was interesting to see Mr. Counts still teaching in the ’90s. He was my 5th grade teacher.
Hmm it appears like your site ate my first comment (it was super long) so I guess I’ll just
sum it up what I had written and say, I’m thoroughly enjoying your blog.
I as well am an aspiring blog blogger but I’m still new to
everything. Do you have any suggestions for rookie
blog writers? I’d certainly appreciate it.
Hey just found this site and oh the memories it is bringing back. I was a freshman there in 78-79, and actually got jumped ahead a grade coming from private schools so they put me into the high school. I played on the JV soccer team where we actually won the german championship that year. The coach’s daughter would read the announcements to the high school every morning and would mention whoever scored in the game. Hung out in the courtyard at the back of the school with all the other smokers during breaks between classes. So many memories of the bowling alley and the movie theater (where I saw Cheech and Chongs’ up in smoke – talked my parents into taking me because it was rated R and my dad was appalled when we got out of the movie. Being a Col. I think he was very embarrassed to be seen there.). There was a small german restaurant you could get to by slipping through a hole in the chain link fence on the east side of the base where we went to drink beer with all these older Germans, we were long-haired little hippie kids and I don’t think they loved us being there but they put up with it. Best chicken cordon blu I ever had at that little mom-and-pop restaurant. We lived on Concord St. Remember playing the Elton John pinball machine at the teen center. Went and saw Journey (the band) I think in Bonn when they were just beginning. Walked about 20 Volksmarches (sp?) We used to sell cigarettes that we got from the PX to the German shop owners and at a brothel right outside a different base. Got in all kinds of trouble when I was there, like driving without a license and buying hash from an undercover German police officer. Oopsie. Was a rebellious nut back then and put my parents through hell. Thank God I settled down. Great to find this and can’t wait to read some of the stories everyone has written. Thanks for putting this together. Say hello if you might remember me.
Tip Atkeson
Hello Tip! Yes, we would have been there the same time. We must have been in different social circles. I looked you up in my yearbooks and only found you in 1 pic with the soccer team. I was in the band so I was in the lowest of the social stratas!
When I was a junior, my friends and I would leave PHV via a gate by the General’s Quarters and walk to an ice/roller skating rink in Eppelheim. Those were fun times!
Good to hear from you Barry, Those were definitely fun times. All my best.
I was a secretary living in boq 17 from 1968-1970;across from the o’club. does anyone have a picture of inside boq rooms of that building or similar ones? there were single 1st and 2nd LT, one was an aide de camp to a general at Campbell bks, there were teachers, a few secretaries as well. a charlotte parker lived next bldg over, i beleive boq 15?
I lived in Patrick Henry Villag 1964-1968. Does anyone have any photos from 4 San Juan Drive? My father was an officer we lived, right down from the officers club.
Thank you,
Danke
My name is Joshua Green , I lived and grew up in Patrick Henry Village 1984 – 1991 . I went to Patrick Henry Village Elementary and I remember Ms. Gritz, my kindergarten teacher, my 3rd grade teacher Mrs. Bunda. My Brother Marcus went to the highschool and my sister was in Jr. High at the time. I remember the festivals we had on base and the Candy truck . We used to go swimming all the time at the bellamar. The outdoor indoor swimming plaza. We always used to go to Mama Leone’s Italian restaurant , or the schnitzel factory. I have so many photos in the ’80s at Patrick Henry Village and we have state friends with a lot of people over the years that lived there at the same time frame. Such a majestic amazing place.
Thank you, for posting this, it made me smile. We lived at the PHV possibly unknowingly, at the same time.
I happened upon this blog whilst googling PHV (feeling nostalgic). My father’s career in the army took us to Heidelberg in 1972. We lived at 54-C South Lexington Avenue 72-75. I attended both PHV (4th – 6th grade) and HHS (7th grade). Mr. Stilwell is the teacher I remember the most – such a brilliant and kind man! My sweetest memories of Heidelberg involve cheerleading for the AYA (American Youth Activities) football and basketball teams, walking all the way to the Schwetzingen pool and spending the entire day there, school field trips to the Darmstadt Museum and the Heidelberg Castle, and going to see the “burning” of the Heidelberg Castle with my family. During my 6th grade year, PHV Elementary School offered a ski trip to Austria – we went over spring break, and it was such an amazing experience! I remember the carnivals and Oktoberfests, going to the movie almost every weekend (tickets were 25 or 35 cents depending on your age), the trolley car that was a mini diner, etc.. I remember that in 7th grade, I loved that HHS switched class schedules on even and odd days. Even days we went to blocks 1,2,3,4,5,6 and on odd days, it was 2,1,3,4,6,5 (for some reason, I thought that was so cool)! I have so many wonderful memories of Heidelberg. Thank you for posting this – it was such a lovely walk down memory lane. I’ve also enjoyed reading all of the comments! The map link is a treasure — thank you!
Oh my goodness my dad was stationed at PHV in Heidelberg, 1970-1973. I was in the third grade and my sister was 15 .
Anyone wanting stories on the seedier side of PHV in 1981-82, stayed tuned for a trilogy of books I am writing. The fictitious continuing story of terrorism in a second attack on the United States homeland will leave. Book one tells the historical background of Michael Callahan and his family’s lineage in the United States and his rise through the United States Army Military Police Corps and his career apex as a special agent with the United States Army Criminal Investigation Command (now known as the Army Criminal Investigation Division).
Book one also is set to Callahan, nearly retired 30 years from the Army and his effort to assist a small town police officer in a Colorado, who’s efforts to help a drunken citizen leads to one killed and two seriously injured, as well as efforts by a vindictive television press in throwing around the discrimination mantra and allegations that Callahan was a corrupt Army cop.
Book two is a continuation of book one but set six months later. Any other time, the Christmas season is breathtaking at nearly 9,000 feet above sea level but who are the six armed men to the home of a sixty-eight year old retirees, with homicide their goal. This was not their first effort and their motivation is unclear, nor is the controlling leader of the effort.
Book three deals with criminal investigation following the attack and efforts of a shaky presidential administration, with a feckless immigration policy and in an re-election effort. In an effort to determine to solve the attack, determine the players and the motivation for the attack, a full court press is executed by the Joint Terrorism Task Force – Denver (JTTF-D). Their initial effort creates more questions than clear answers, as well as a cast of characters with their own stories, losses and loves. What part, if any, does the FBI, DOD, CIA, DHS or the DIA play in the involvement with one one of the victims? Further, would US leadership actually sanction the execution of six religious clergy as they slept quietly in beds in a Central American country?
Many of the detailed cases contained in book three are drawn from cases conducted by the CID, including that of PHV in 1981-82. Stay tuned for a page turner in three books.
Hi All,
I have lived in Heidelberg since October 1975 to the present! Went to MTV Elementary, the Middle School o PHV and a little bit of the High School (class of 85).
Still a beautiful place to live with a high quality of life.
If you do not already know, we are planning the All-Year’s Reunion in 2026…
Christian- your dad Klaus was one of my coaches on the Mustangs!
Tom Jensen
That is pretty cool! I don’t remember him coaching the Mustangs. What age group was that and when?
Christian
probably around 77/78. He was my coach on Cosmos (DYA) and I recall him recruiting me, and being part of the creation of Mustangs which was the youngest age group of the Baumann oriented teams (Tornadoes oldest, then Stars, then Mustangs as the youngest). I eventually moved to the Stars and stayed there until my family moved back to the U.S. at the end of 1980.
Tom