Back from Atlanta, so I've got a little time to update you with some pictures and stories from the past. Toward the end of my time in Bamberg, we got a new shippment of tanks. The olde M60A1 was replaced by M60A1 RISE, and these were replaced by what we called M60A1E3's... later these would be known as M60A3, minus the reactive armor that the Marines had on theirs during the first Gulf War. The strait M60's were rebuilt into M60A1's by depot maintenance. The hulls were seperated from the turrets, and the new M60A1 installed. If "Pimp My Ride" was around back then, this was the result of turning an outdated tank into a custom. Then the A1's were updated with new hulls, turrets, and lots of weapons system changes - except for the coax and '85 on top. New pack, better in and out time when you pulled a service, tracks were replaced with steel and pads like the 113's, and the night sights and drivers periscope was "cool". Who didn't go to Kristkringlemart in Nuremberg during Christmas. Well, if it wasn't for Kever I wouldn't have. Two pictures taken, this is one of them. Jim stayed with another platoon member at a local pension, I took the train back to Bamberg, no money. After sending money home ($150), I only had $292 to my name between paycalls. You could make a buck by doing "double or nothing" for those that wanted to pay the price. Chuck was the master here, if you needed cash, he was your man provided you paid up on payday. Friends, I'll let the pictures do the talking. Have a safe and happy holiday, and a better tomorrow.