Allow me to first set the background for this story. I am a senior sergeant in the U.S. Army. I am also single 27-year-old soldier being stationed in Germany for my first time. It is in the late 1970’s and I was stationed in a small town along the East/West German borders.
I reported into my command and was assigned a Company. When I reported to my company my first sergeant welcomed me as he reviewed my personnel file. Seeing that I was a German linguist he smiled and said he had an assignment for me immediately. He informed me there was an ongoing project to improve German-American relations and seeing that I already spoke German, I would be ideal for the program.
I am thinking great, first day and I’m already being volunteered without much choice of refusing.
The first sergeant went on to explain that during the Christmas holidays they tried to match single American soldiers with German families to stay together and enhance relations between the two allies. He was going to pair me up with a family and I would be going to stay with them the next day throughout the four-day Christmas weekend.
I was then led in and introduced to the Company Commander and the first sergeant explained his immediate plans for me. The commander welcomed me and said he thought that it was a wonderful decision and reminded me that I would be representing The U.S. Army as well as The U.S. and the be on my best behavior.
Great, I thought, what a marvelous way to spend the holidays. Not know that I was going to receive my first lesson of German culture that would make me want to experience more and more of German hospitality.
The next day a German gentleman in his mid to late 50’s picked me up at the gate. He introduced himself as Manfred and told me I would be staying with him and his family for the weekend.
As we drove to his home in a small village about 30 kilometers from the base we exchanged pleasantries and learned more about each other. He was a textile merchant and was in the German Army during WWII. He was on tanks and was captured and sent to a POW camp in the United States, where he said he was treated well and then released after the war. I also learned he has a young wife only, 32 and two daughters from a previous marriage, ages 18 and 20. We had an enjoyable ride and conversation and finally arrived at his home.
Manfred insisted on carrying my suitcase into the house and as we entered I was awe struck by the beauty of the house and furnishings. Manfred had indeed done well since the war. He showed me the bedroom I would be staying in and I was dazed when he told me I would be sharing the room with his daughters. I protested that it wasn’t appropriate but he said nonsense you will be just another member of the family for the weekend and not to worry about it.
Manfred then led me to the kitchen where his beautiful wife Ingrid was preparing lunch. Allow me to describe Ingrid. As you already know she is 32 years old but could pass for 25 any day. She has medium length blonde hair, the bluest eyes you have ever seen, and a body that most women strive to maintain. She was wearing a black straight dress covered with a full apron as she cooked. The apron and dress were unable to hide the charms of this beautiful German wife. She has, I would guess a 34D breasts, a nice slim waist and probably around a 34 in hips. I was again awe struck by her beauty and her smile as she shook my hand and welcomed me to there home.
Ingrid asked me where I was from and I told her and tried to explain exactly where that was in the US.
She then asks me to sit at the table and offered Manfred and I coffee and cake.
We drank coffee and enjoyed the cake together as we became better acquainted and got to know each other better.