Jack McMasters and his friends, in the book Brat: Kids of Warriors, first meet their German friends Hans and Günther at German American Week. Normally Cooke Barracks was closed to outsiders. Only military personnel and Germans who worked directly for people on the base were allow through the front gate and onto post. However, during German American Week, Cooke Barracks was opened to any Germans that wanted to see what went on there. There they could see all the military equipment up close. It was designed to promote friendships between local Germans and the U.S. Military. It was an actual festival that was held each year for over 40 years.
View of German American Week at Cooke Barracks
Photo from Horst W. Müller. Jack McMasters and the other brats...
The German American Week Stein
Each year there was a special stein made to commemorate the occasion.
The Stuttgarter Blimp flies over the German American celebration
Photo from Horst W....
I am a military brat—and I say that with great pride.
