Baden Remembered Guestbook

1978 1982

Posted By: Rick Wilm
Date: Tuesday, 30 June 2009, at 2:19 p.m.

I was stationed in 4(F) Wing/CFB Baden from 1964-67,1969-72,1978-82.
My wife and I were on holidays in Europe for three weeks in May of this year, seven days of which we spent in the Baden area. We stayed at the Schwann Gasthaus in Hugelsheim.
The Sonne Gasthaus in Hugelsheim has finally been repaired after a fire several years ago, but is no longer a gasthaus and is for sale.
The Stadtpark (Red Door)in Rastatt, formerly operated by my mother-in-law, Erna Hoffman, and well known to many Canadians from about 1960-75, is once again in operation after being closed for 4 or 5 years. It is now called the Monte Carlo and is strictly a gambling establishment. No drinks are sold, or so we were advised by the young girl who appeared to be the only person in the place. It was completely renovated and unrecognizable from years ago; the complete interior is painted a bright red. We never noticed more than one or two cars in the parking lot whenever we drove by and I don't believe it will be in operation very long.
We heard a few people speaking German in Rastatt, but the predominant languages seemed to be Russian, Polish and Arabic. I am exaggerating somewhat, but not a lot.
More of the old base buildings had been destroyed since I was there last year and it looks like it may not be long before others suffer the same fate.Hard to believe the base has been closed for 16 years.
We did check out the terminal building and noted that there were very good deals on flights to Mallorca, Spain, Turkey, the Greek Islands and other Mediterranean destinations

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