I was arrived at Rhein Main in December 1990. I was all excited to experience Germany so those three years of High School german class could finally be put to use. Alas, that didn't work out, but at least I can still remember the Romerplatz, the hauptbahnhof and how I was always mixing up Fahrzeugschein and Fuhrerschein when I pulled nationals over and asked for their papers. My best language memory has got to be when Pete Fotopolous and I caught some kids climbing the fence out by the service gate to the airport (what was that number?). We took them to the Polizei station at the airport and I got to listen as the Desk sergeant proceded to rip their asses, auf deutsch, telling them such wonderful things as "They shoot people for that". Wow. It was easier to understand than when I tried to translate the German subtitles for Klingons in Star Trek VI at an off base theater...

After Rhein Main, I went to McClellan AFB, CA, with the 652nd SPS. Not nearly as many cool stories to reflect on, but I made good friends there too, and all the we're-a-MAC-base-not-USAFE I experienced at Rhein Main sure prepared me for the too-laid back depot nonsense at McClellan.

In 1994, I returned home to Southern Indiana, eager to get a job with a local police department. Alas, no one knew what SPs were and I ultimately ended up as an investigator in the local prosecuting attorney's office, where I've been for almost 12 years now, listening to the public complain.

If any of my old pals from Rhein Main read this, drop me an email- I'd sure love to hear whatever happened to you! Like where did Joe Wieder-fan Venkus go after Germany. Or my roomie, Wayne Washbourne, K-9 handler extraordinaire. Heck, I even wonder if A1C Kilgallon ever made it back to Chicago... I know I missed some other names, but dang it, I'm getting old and senile, so cut me some freakin' slack!

Best Wishes to all my 435th Alumni!

-C. Martin

This site is a work in progress. Please tell other 435 SPS members to contact me and add their info. Let's all reconnect. Thanks! I really appreciate it.