Excerpts from Letters to Mom in italics.
01 January 1964
We had a big party the other week in the Festhalle, and had a real good time. After I got feeling good, I bribed the sousaphone player and conducter [sic] of the German band (in Lederhosen) to let me play in the band. I played about four numbers - not too terribly badly considering my condition and absence from the instrument. They practice every Tuesday nite above the Fire Hall, and invited me to come down. Guess I will, too.
11 January 1964
I went to band practice the other week, and intend to till I leave. I had a ball! I'm the worst horn blower around, but it's fun. They (the conductor) showed me a uniform for me (military type) and they also play in lederhosen [leather shorts] for special events. I wonder if I'll have to buy a Bavarian outfit. The band is the "Feuerwehr Kapelle," literally fire department band and compares favorably to the "Persy." [Lebanon's Perseverance Fire Hall Band.]
I didn't even have any trouble following the rehearsal (in German). Made me a little proud of my Deutsch. At one point we started out a few bars ahead of the stanza I thought we were supposed to and I got lost. Afterward, I told the other tuba player (and the conductor's brother) where I had started, and he said he also thought we were supposed to start where I was looking. I didn't feel too badly anymore. They also have a little canteen above the firehall where we practice. It is an improvement over high school days when during a break I can reach over to my flip-top. Half-liter (1/2 quart) flip-top bottles of Parkbräu cost 11¢. Good old Germany!
Tomorrow afternoon I'm going out to Mike Leech's for dinner. He went thru "A" school at Lakehurst [and also the Fleet Weather Central and National Security Agency] with me, & just got here this summer. [Mike also owned a Peugot that he and his lovely wife would, with a knowing smile and a wink, swap for an evening. The French car, unlike most others of the era, thoughtfully introduced reclining front seats. Ardor was harder in the back seat of the VW.] He also re-enlisted for 3 more years. I don't have much against the USN, but I'd rather be out & doing something useful. Besides, a serviceman is all too often treated like a second-class citizen.
28 January 1964
I spent last weekend in Munich. I went for the purpose of inquiring at the Language and Interpreters Institute at Amiraplatz 1. Unfortunately it was closed, but I managed to get off a letter to the school.
Incidently [sic], I had a nice time. I even met a fräulein and danced quite a bit (for a change). She lives with her aunt (fine personality) and we stayed up talking in their apartment til 4:30 in the morning. Then they insisted on walking me to the taxi stand (at that hour) to be sure I found it. They were very friendly and insisted I visit if I come back.
I got a letter from LVC [Lebanon Valley College] explaining what's required (over $2,000 for resident & over $1,200 for day student). I think I'll check around over here a bit. I sure wish Congress would get on the stick and legislate substantial aid to education.
In case you're asked what subjects I'm interested in, they are: Political science, history and perhaps economics (I'm rather ignorant of the last subject, but think it would be interesting & necessary). [With some advice from his uncle at LVC, Fehr would read more books on economics while serving in the Navy than he later read as an undergraduate.] Thanks again, Love, Steve
P.S. See you in a few months.