1-14-07  I was at Châteauroux AS only about 3 months in 1966, when the base was beginning to close.  From there, I was sent to 322nd Air Division in High Wycombe, England.  While at Châteauroux, I met some wonderful people, and enjoyed many of the French amenities and made some excellent French friends, particularly one who was a cook at the French Canteen.  Visited his home (right on the river in downtown Châteauroux!) several times, and on one occasion enjoyed a wonderfully prepared, 5-course meal - and tasted (and drank) some of the finest wine I've ever had, right from his own wine-cellar! Also, met Mike Maynard there, but didn't know him very well until we met each other (later) at the air base in High Wycombe, England.  A fine young man then, and a fine young man today!  We keep in touch, even though we're about 1,500 miles apart (me in NY, he in Florida).   We have had a trip to Europe all planned (since last year), and it's a family affair, for April of this year.  We will be touring Germany, France and England, visiting relatives, in-laws and many friends.   God bless you all - and if you get down to that restaurant called 'Joe from Maine' (is that the right name - and is it still there?), tell him I still remember eating that first hamburger, enjoying it immensely, and later learning it was made with horse meat!  Otto Sprossel