The Wall was part of my childhood days until it came down. We used to enjoy the "Open Doors" activities in summer on the, then still active, Tempelhof Airport. Real quarter pounders and american ice cream ^^. I spend a year in El Paso during my Air Force years, so i know a tiny bit of the states too. We have a little bit in common then.
Concerning the verneer question, it comes down to getting samples and comparing to what i have then, i guess. Thanks for the background, both, on Yourself and the Walnut.