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Excerpts from Letters to Mom in italics.
13 April 1964
If the weather holds true, spring has arrived. Over the weekend I played a little softball, and gained a little coloring on my face and arms.
I did something today that you might not like very much if it is approved. I requested a one-year extension of my present overseas tour of duty. I did it for several reasons, but the chances of it being approved are slim. I know you all are looking forward to me coming home in July, but you've often said it's my own life and the decisions are mine.
I'm not really sure why I'm requesting the extension, but It could probably be broken down into three generalities. (1) Gretchen; (2) I haven't the faintest about my outside future; and (3) a chance to take some leaves to enjoy what I've been missing in Europe.
Oh, a couple advantages if I get extended that I didn't mention are: (1) a possible chance (slim) of making AG1 and (2) opportunities of taking more U. of Md. Courses (possibly at one-third price).
There is a little Gasthaus with a "Gemütlich" [cozy or comfortable] atmosphere that I sometimes visit. On the wall is a painting that tickles my funny-bone every time I see it. It consists of a corpulent Bavarian way up in the Alps who is whistling for his dog. But the little dog is sitting on his hind legs beneath his master, who can't see him because of his bierbauch (beer belly). I wanted to point it out to a friend, but it was missing from its accustomed place on the wall. So, I asked Herr Caspar about it. He was very surprised that anyone noted it was missing and brought it out from the other room. A friend of his, a captive for 8 years in Russia, had done it. He said he would ask him how much it would cost to make one for me. If it's not more than five bucks I'll buy one. [Fehr did not doubt the painter fought in Russia, but in all his conversations at bier tents, biergartens and gasthauses, he never met a former Wehrmacht soldier who fought on the Western front. Strange then, but more understandable now.]
18 April 1964 [Postcard to Mom showing four vistas of Strasbourg, France]
I took off for this quaint town on the France-German border this weekend. The people speak predominantly German, but the city is French. I've been sightseeing and sitting at the outdoor cafes watching all the beautiful women. The weather has been splendid! I sure wish the proverbial "you could be here."
06 May 1964 [A German Mother's Day Card featuring a pop-up bouquet of red roses.]
Herzliche Glückwünsche zum Muttertag.
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11 May 1964
This afternoon I got my authorization from Bupers [Bureau of Personnel] in DC for my one - year extension. My impression of your letters is that you think I do not want to come home for some reason/s. I want to reiterate and clarify that my motivations for this extension are positive, not negative. I do want to come home and see everyone and get started in a job or school. Yet I also need to take care of some things here that I deem very important. When I first wrote of my request I mentioned very briefly a few reasons for the extension. To explain fully about the chief motivation - Gretchen - would require a secretary. So, I hope you don't judge me harshly and let it suffice that I have sound enough grounds for this decision.