Airman grew up behind Berlin Wall

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Uriah Orland
  • 469th Air Base Group Public Affairs
For Senior Airman Anke Dzincielewski, the day the Berlin Wall fell is one she will never forget.

"Senior Airman D.," as co-workers call her, was born and raised in Kleinmachnow, a small town on the southwest corner of Berlin in East Germany. She grew up knowing that the West was there but never really thought much of it.

"We knew of the other side of Germany but it seemed really far away, even though it was so close," said the supply technician who is deployed to the 16th Expeditionary Support Squadron here. The wall was only a couple of hundred meters from her home.

Life in a communist country was fairly normal, according to Dzincielewski.

"We went to school until 10th grade and then we started our apprenticeship," she said. "Life was structured, but we didn't know anything different."

She began her apprenticeship in data transfer and accounting in September 1989.

Dzincielewski did the usual things kids do growing up. She was fond of sports, particularly bowling. She watched television programs from the West but did not notice much difference from the East.

"Everyone watched but no one talked about it -- we knew we shouldn't," she said. "I never thought about going to the other side of the wall. We grew up with it and it was a part of our life."

After the wall came down, life changed for those from East Berlin.

"The first few months were great -- everyone was partying like a big family," she said. "But after about a year ... then the problems started."

The former East Germany couldn't immediately leap into western economic standards and that caused confusion, she said.

Despite the difficulties, life continued as usual. She joined a German-American bowling league and in 1993 met Steve Dzincielewski, a member of the U.S. Army. They dated for several years and were married in 1999.

After finishing her apprenticeship she began working for the U.S. government and ended up in Kaiserslautern, a community with a large American military presence.

She always liked Americans and their way of life.

"Germans have one way of doing something -- that is the only correct way to do it," she said. "Americans are different. They have no worries.

"It's really a different lifestyle," she said.

When she started talking about joining the military, her husband had simple advice for her.

He said, "I've been in the Army for 12 years -- you are not going to join the Army. If you join, it will be the Air Force."

So she did. Steve did too. He is a communications officer in the Air Force Reserve assigned to the U.S. Air Forces in Europe commander's support staff at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. He is currently deployed to Gandea, Spain.

When she entered basic training at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, Dzincielewski could not wait to finally put on the uniform as an airman.

"I was so proud to be in the military. I couldn't wait to get the uniform," she said. "The youngest girl there was 17; I was 27. They all cried and wanted to go home. I loved it because I (had already gone) through the separation from home.

"It was amazing to grow up enemies and now we were in the same uniform," she added.

Her parents are also proud.

"They show everyone my picture from basic training," she said. "They think it is great that I am in the military."

Dzincielewski is completing her first tour of duty in the 28th Logistics Readiness Squadron at Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D.

"When I first joined, I thought that I would do my four years and see if I liked it," she said. "I will definitely re-enlist now but I may change career fields. I want to work with computers."

She is working on a degree in computer network administration and management from the National American University.

The senior airman has been deployed here since December and will be here until June. As a supply technician, her duties include issuing equipment to deploying troops supporting operations in the Balkans. She issues bags, helmets, flak vests, and sleeping bags.

"Senior Airman Dzincielewski is one of my most motivated troops," said Capt. Richard Macalino, 16th ESS commander. "She's so happy just to be a part of our great armed forces. She's an inspiration to my entire squadron. She's always there for us, always volunteering her services.

"Every now and then she would remind us how fortunate we are to be Americans and to enjoy the freedom that we have," Macalino said. "She has won every award we have in the squadron for this quarter and she deserves it. Having her in the squadron makes my job a lot easier and it also makes me proud to be her commander."

Her supervisor, Master Sgt. Robert Atherley, added his respect for Airman Dzincielewski.

"I cannot say enough about her dedication to duty and the love she expresses in becoming an American citizen," he added. "I'm truly blessed to have such a professional individual working for me."

Dzincielewski is currently working to receive her citizenship and hopes to be stationed in Florida with her husband in the future. (Courtesy of U.S. Air Forces in Europe)