I am a Military Brat. My dad is a retired Army Master Sergeant. He is a stud. You can translate that in any way you choose and probably be right.
I am a single child. Though both parents spoiled me, my Dad went overboard. I had my own motorcycle when I was nine. It was a little Suzuki Trailhopper. Dad rode dirt bikes and I wanted to ride with him. I traded the motorcycle (with Mom's help) for a pony when Dad was assigned to an unaccompanied tour in the Far East.
Mom gave me my own private phone line when I was eleven and spending far too much time talking to my first boyfriend. And when I was seventeen, Dad gave me his Fiat Spyder 2000 Convertible. Though I was still in the eleventh grade, Dad called it my graduation present.
We moved to Germany in the mid-70s, arriving in the summer months allowing me to become more accustomed to our surroundings before the start of school. I attended a school specifically for military dependents and the children of civilian Defense Department employees. We lived there for more than seven years, both as a military family and as a retired military family working for a Defense Contractor.
I graduated High School, got a job and took several college courses at University of Maryland European Campuses. Returning to the states was a culture shock.
I am now married with one child. This story will focus primarily on our life in Germany and our assimilation into the German culture and a more European lifestyle.
I was very proud of my dad and loved him dearly. I liked being close and just being seen with him. He did stand out in a crowd. Dad was six-four but not so muscular. He was tall, straight and a bit skinny. He was prematurely gray. His short hair was almost completely white. To female soldiers, he was "The Silver Fox." To male soldiers, he was "Old Stone Face."
Seeing him in a dress uniform, especially the summer Tropical Worsted Khakis, he was every woman's idea of a hero. A large cluster of ribbons and badges were pinned to his chest with the Screaming Eagle patch of the 101st Airborne Division on his right shoulder speaking to his combat service in Vietnam. Dad commanded respect, bordering on fear.
Mom was nearly a foot shorter than Dad. She kept her red hair cut and styled in a stylish at the time "Afro." She was slightly built with "less noticeable" breasts and "more noticeable" butt that made her look very sexy in tight jeans. With her quick smile and outgoing personality she was much more approachable than Dad. Mom loved to laugh. Dad was much more stoic.
I was a typical long-legged, lanky adolescent with buckteeth. Mom had decided to make me pretty when we were stationed in the States. She talked Dad into spending the money he had been saving for a motorcycle (a motocross bike) on my teeth. The dental work did not get finished before we left the States but that was a good thing. The Army picked up the tab for completing the work. And Dad pretended to be upset that he had wasted all that money. He kiddingly called me "Motorcycle Mouth" for years after that.
Dad was so cute - and embarrassed - when he took me to the clinic to schedule an appointment with the Orthodontist. He told the receptionist that he needed to make an appointment for his twelve-year old daughter with the Obstetrician. The receptionist stared at me. I turned red and Dad was totally blank. He had no idea.
As we settled into our European life and many adventures I grew more and more attached to my sexy, macho man Dad. His interest in motocross and photography turned into a Press Pass and Journalist Credentials from the Stars and Stripes European edition. He covered World Championship Grand Prix Motocross during spring and summer.
Sometimes, after I started to look more and more like a woman, Dad would let me go with him to cover the races. I was seventeen and HOT. Riders, mechanics and the sponsors paid a lot of attention. All were eager to be interviewed by my "Motojournalist" Dad. I sort of liked the attention.
The races were three-day events. Friday was a travel day, getting there late and finding a room. Or, sometime sleeping in the car. Saturday was timed practice and qualifying for the riders. That was the day the riders were more approachable.
Sunday was more serious; it was race day. Depending on results, some riders were much less approachable. There was only one winner. Losers were angry or depressed - much less approachable. And we had to drive home on Sunday afternoon and night. Dad had to be at work early Monday morning.
Mom took a few trips with us. She was pretty hot too but motocross riders are usually much younger than Mom. When she was with us it usually turned into Mom and I shopping while Dad covered the races. Dad would usually rent a car when the whole family traveled. His TR-7 was a two-seater and the tiny back seat of my Fiat Spyder was too small for passengers on longer trips.
We covered events throughout Europe but because of Dad's security clearance we were not allowed in Communist Block Countries - Russia, Czechoslovakia, Poland, Bulgaria, etc.
When it was just Dad and me, he would get a room rather than make me sleep in the car. I loved that my dad was so thoughtful, especially when it came to his very spoiled daughter.
Sometime there would be only one bed in the room. That was fine with me but Dad would always ask. I took pleasure in cuddling close, knowing that it made Dad very uncomfortable. But, we made it through several uncomfortable nights during our first year of covering races together.
Dad's photography led to much more than sports. He won several contests with his more artistic work. And he was constantly hounded by people wanting him to shoot a wedding or special event; even portrait work. He loved outdoor and wildlife photography.
On one occasion he talked me into going on a two-day guided hike up the Zugspitze. It was in June but a freak snowstorm hit that night as we slept in Knorrhuette - a hiker's cabin in the Alps. I felt bad for Dad. He was so concerned for me. I was in tennis shoes and had to finish that hike with plastic bags on my feet. It was miserable but just another experience that bonded my dad and me even more firmly.
Mom and my grandmother, who was visiting from the states, had taken the cogwheel train from the recreation center in Garmish and met us at the lodge on the summit. The adventure was miserable for me. Dad loved it. He got some great photos of hikers strung out single file in the snow.