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Check it out...Here's a unique ORIGINAL 8 1/2" wide by 11" tall 2 – page (4 pages of content back-to-back) handwritten letter dated March 28, 1958 on the ornate letterhead of the "Kaiserlautern American High School Germany" that pictures a cartoon Viking mascot at the top in bright red. The handwritten letter reads: "Dear Don, I finally got time to do some scriben – I've got the measles. It makes me extremely mad, too, for I have to miss a science fair at Heidelberg, among other things. Fliezer took a dive at the beginning of this year when AYA reorganized and put the teen clubs under an iron rule – it's a mess, but we do have a pool table. How are the states, (I salute when I say that), now? In a very short time I shall be a "short timer", I can hardly wait. Our rotation date is 30 June, so we ought to be there in Ft. Hamilton in the middle of July. The school has also gone to – – UK – – down the drain. We lost two football games, 12 basketball games, and placed fifth in the tournaments at Frankfurt. We have a new vice principal who knows nothing. I have Nello "fuzzy face" Carlin for English this year (he shaved his beard though). Bruce wrote you a long time ago, but he is not sure the letter was mailed, so please write. The teen – club got a letter from the Cartwrights – they were very happy at seeing you. Dad retires July 31, so we may be at Hamilton for a couple of weeks. If this is so, will have a ball. My grandfather's dog, Tip, died a few weeks ago, but he has a new mutt called Boots. Getting back to Fliezer, the preteens or junior high have practically taken over. They have two favorite records – "At the Hop" and "Short Shorts" – which are being constantly played. How do you like the school stationary? It is an attempt of the Student Council to raise some money. Naturally, I fell for it and am now using it up. Do you have a girl? Right now, I'm a bachelor along with Bruce. Soto, however, has got a girl and so do all my friends at school (Butch Wilson is one of them.) I am, however, planning to renew acquaintances with a girl in DC – it's been more than a year since I last wrote, so I doubt if I get an answer. I applied to MIT, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and the Illinois Institute of technology, but after taking the college entrance exams at Heidelberg, I seriously doubt if I will get accepted at any of the three, so I am writing to George Washington University in DC this weekend. Gosh! I don't want to get drafted! I've got to get some lunch now, so I'll be signing off. I do hope you will right before I leave. By the way, do you have a license to drive? What is the minimum age limit for New York? I am looking forward to driving there very much. Take it easy, and remind me to your folks. Your Fliezer friend, Paul PS – there are several more phrases in this epic of life in Germany which I should relate to you in later epistles. (That's a mouthful, isn't it?) Paul PS to the PS – I read your letter, and am answering your request. Rick Townsend c/o. Lt. Col. C.F. Townsend 816 Cedar St., Cedar Spring Maryland". The letter comes in the original mailing envelope that also features the name and logo of the American high school in Germany and is postmarked March 28, 1958. Sent to a Mr Don Powers at 440 Battery Ave., Apt. 6-E in Ft. Hamilton Manor Brooklyn New York.

Here's some info on the AYA and the school:

The American Youth Association was the overseas equivalent of a city recreation department like the YMCA in the states. Its mission was to provide enough activities for military dependent kids to keep them busy, entertained, and out of trouble while overseas. Created less than two decades after World War II, the AYA was staffed by Army enlisted men who specialized in the field of recreation and activities for children. Hhey provided activities aplenty. They organized intramural sports for all age levels. They took the kids on swimming trips and sightseeing tours. They bussed the older ones to football and basketball games at other bases around Germany. The AYA generally offered basketball, baseball and other sports along with arts and crafts, instructional classes, and playing pool, chess, checkers, and fussball.

Kaiserslautern High School, (formerly known as Rhine High School or Kaiserslautern American High School) also known as “K-Town” or simply “KHS” is a Department of Defense operated international school in Kaiserslautern, Germany. The school, which serves over 800 students with 62 full-time educators, is located on Illinois Place in Vogelweh. KHS is part of the DoDEA (Department of Defense Education Activity) as well as DoDDS (Department of Defense Dependents Schools) system. KHS is located in the Kaiserslautern District, one of the six European school districts run by DoDEA, and is one of the largest DoDDS schools by population in Europe. KHS serves students of the KMC (Kaiserslautern Military Community). With approximately 50,000 American inhabitants, KMC is the largest community of Americans outside the United States. Shortly after the development of Western Area Command (WACOM) in 1952, when Americans took over the western area of Germany from the French, KHS was housed in a converted apartment building. On March 12, 1953, the school moved into an old hospital building, and expanded continuously over the years. From 1953 to 1958, the school included a dormitory for approximately 150 French and German students. The school was originally known as Rhine High, not being referred to as "KAHS" until the early sixties, and "KHS" fairly recently. The school grew quickly, and prior to the construction of Ramstein High School in 1982, KHS (with an enrollment of more than 1600 students) was the largest military-operated high school outside the continental US.

This is an ORIGINAL item, NOT A REPRODUCTION item! Postage information is listed at the bottom-$ 4.95 postage is required.

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