I did my small part in 1980. I was in my 4th year in Germany, lived in a small town called Traben-Trarbach. My neighbors were pleading with me to vote for Jimmy Carter, they were sure Reagan would start WWIII.
In the weeks leading up to the election, I engaged my neighbors at the local gasthaus, explaining why Reagan had my vote. My rationale centered around "the world is a safer place when America is strong, and Reagan would provide the leadership we needed." Our discussions were held entirely in German. My last two years in Germany were so enjoyable, as I had achieved near fluency. It came natural, having lived off base for over 3 years.
I dined at the gasthaus a couple of days after Inauguration Day, when the hostages were released. For the remaining six months of my tour, I had a standing reservation to sit at the Stammtisch, a table reserved for family and close friends of the family. I cherish that honor to this day.
We never got to sit at the Stammtisch, at the Sonnen Eck in Mainz Kastel, but as much money as we spent there, you would think we should have. .