Fallschirmjäger-Lehrkompanie
Italien 1943

2005 Veteranenabend (Veterans' Evening)

 

All registered participants are invited to a special Veteranenabend, an FJ-Lehrkompanie special event. Join the veterans Klaus Meindl, Tony Nemec (see information below) and special guest Hermann Ramcke at a dinner in their honor, Thursday, August 18th at 6:00pm, the night before the event. Join us at the historic Rathskeller at the Athenaeum for an evening of Kameradschaft and great German food and refreshments.

Veteran Otto 'Tony' Nemec

Otto 'Tony' Nemec was born and grew up in Prague, joining the Luftwaffe in the summer of 1943. Originally he was scheduled to attend pilot training, but due to the acute gasoline shortage many facilities were closed. Rather than assignment to the FLAK or the Hermann Göring Division, he volunteered for the Fallschirmjäger. After testing in Gardelegen (near Stendal), he attended the Sprungschule in Freiburg, southwestern Germany, just north of Basel.

In January, 1944, he was assigned to the 12./FJR10, 4. Fallschirmjägerdivision. In his own words, "At first I was in a Mortar Squad and later on I was a Melder, which by the way was not a choice assignment. The invasion of Sicily was just before my time. I was involved in the battle for Monte Cassino, but in the Nettuno (German name for Anzio) sector."

During the war, Tony attained the rank of Oberjäger, and earned the Iron Cross First and Second Classes, the Parachutist's Badge, the Luftwaffe Ground Assault Badge, and the Anti-Partisan Badge.

Captured by American troops, Oberjäger Nemec spent the remainder of the war at Camp Robinson, Arkansas. After the war, he could not return to Prague, so he sought out family members in Frankfurt am Main and finished college. In the 1950's, he returned to the U.S. because he liked what he learned and experienced here. At a Halloween costume party, he met a lovely American girl named Eleanore, and they were married soon after. He became an executive for the Mobil Oil Company, which took him all over the world building oil refineries.

We are honored to have him as a guest.

As a special treat for evening the Musikanter (Accordionist) for the event, Tim Tabor, will attend the dinner. Be ready for some good Fallschirmjägerlieder!

Dress is business casual, this means dress slacks/Dockers with knit or dress shirt, tie is not required. Due to the public nature of the Veteranenabend, please no period uniforms. However, please feel free to bring an items you wish to have the Veterans sign.

Each registered participant attending the Veteranenabend will be responsible for their own meal and drink costs. Since the veterans and guests have been so generous in their time and travel, we are asking that each attending participant contribute $10 USD to the veterans and guests meals and refreshments.

The Rathskeller at the Athenaeum

The Rathskeller is reminiscent of both an inn tucked in the Bavarian hills and a lively beer hall in Munich. Voted Best German Restaurant seven years in a row, even a true German feels at home here.

From Jäegerschnitzel to Filet Mignon, the award-winning menu features authentic German cuisine as well as steak, seafood, chicken, pork and vegetarian entrees. The Rathskeller also features an extensive German wine and beer menu.

For more about the Rathskeller, click here.

The Athenaeum

The Athenaeum is a German-Renaissance Revival Style building with a massive brick structure, designed by Vonnegut (father of writer and Indianapolis resident Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.) and Bohn. Originally known as Das deutsche Haus, the name was changed during World War One.

Of particular importance are the elaborate ornamentation in some of the brick facade and the gables that face to the south. It contains ballrooms, restaurants, gardens, a Rathskeller with a large fireplace, dining halls, meeting rooms, gymnasium, Biergarten, band shell and a Schlossgarten complete with banners and animal heads providing an Olde World atmosphere. Stained glass windows show elements of music and recreation - horns, harps, cymbals and bowling pins were imported from Germany. It is the only 19th-century cultural center remaining in Indianapolis.

Signature Inn - Indy West

For participants wanting to attend the Veteranenabend on Thursday night, August 18th, we have made discount arrangements for a convenient hotel. The veterans and guests will also be staying here

The Signature Inn - Indy West is 10 minutes from Indianapolis International, 15 minutes from the Rathskeller at the Athenaeum, is convenient to I-65 North to Lowell, and is surrounded by restaurants, banks and discount and grocery stores.

The rate is $59.00 USD + tax, for 1-4 guests, and includes a deluxe buffet breakfast, with microwave and refrigerator in each room.

Signature Inn - Indy West / 3850 Eagle View Drive / Indianapolis, IN 46254 Directions: I-465 and West 38th Street, Exit 17 on the west side of Indianapolis.

To make a reservation, please call the hotel directly at 317.299.6165 and tell them you belong to the 'FJ Event'.