1908 Photo

OK no story here, and it's not Peden, but I like this old pic of Wertheim. I got the photo off of eBay a few years back. It's on nice hard stock, dated 1908. Must have been a neat time to live in Wertheim...

1999 Visit

So I mentioned I had a chance to visit Peden in 1999 when I was in Germany on business. A co-worker of mine (also former military) took a drive from Heidelberg over to Wertheim. I knew the post had been shut down but I really didn't know what to expect. Most buildings were run down, barracks being used as refugee housing (In broad daylight I was a bit nervous just being inside old Bravo battery), formerly manicured fields overrun by trees and weeds, trackpark cracked and overgrown, PSP abandoned etc. The photo at left is of the 3/35 PT field - that's Alpha and Bravo Batteries in the background. As you can see the field is fully overgrown. Some of the other sights I remember being surprised to see - the 1SG office in Bravo Btry had been converted to a latrine. The PSP gate was hanging open - obviously there was nothing inside anymore but it was still strange to see. I got an email from someone who visited after me so I'll post some of his comments and a pic soon.

Ron's Pics

One of the earliest emails I got was from Ron Picciani who was stationed at Peden from 1963 to 1965. The emails I like the most are from folks who were there significantly earlier than I was, as they usually have some great insight and some good stories. Many wish they had more photos from those days, and a few, like Ron do. Here's one of the pics he sent, there are some good field and Peden shots he sent that I'll add as time goes on. I liked this shot of downtown Wertheim (a corner you'll all recognize) because of the cars in the picture. And of course there's a 3/35 FA vehicle in the shot as well. How did they ever survive without "Whoopie Lights"?!?! You'll like seeing more of Ron's pics. Stay tuned...

First Post!

Well here we go - first post. I've got this soft spot for Peden Barracks. I was assigned there from 1986-1989 with 3/35FA. Started out as an FDO in Bravo Battery, then was a PL (split battery days) and then went to the s-3 shop as the BN SWO. I've been looking for something to cut my blog teeth on so I decided this would be a good start. Part of the reason I decided to do this is the feedback I got from another page I set up a few years back, that has a bunch of pics from Peden when I visited on business in 1999. Boy had it changed. (I'll get that link up shortly). Anyway, I started getting email from people who'd served there - some from multiple decades. So with this blog I'm going to post not only some pics I have from those days, and some stories, but I also hope we'll get enough of a following that others will send some pics and write some guest posts. I've saved a few photos and notes already that I think you'll enjoy. Forwards Always! MJ (PS: the photo above is of the old 3/35FA BN HQ)