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Imagine being a single Airman, living in the dorms in Europe, possibly being away from family for the first time. Where do you go to make friends and get established in the area?
Club 7 is the place to go to build a healthy community amongst single Airmen living in the dorms. This home away from home was established by the chapel in May 2008 and recently expanded to Kapaun Air Station in May 2013.
“Both locations offer the same services for the Airmen,” said Richard Deppe, 86th Airlift Wing Chapel Airmen ministry centers coordinator. “We furnished and decorated the club as if it were our own home to provide something other than a ‘dayroom’ type atmosphere.”
Club 7 has provided Airmen with comfortable furniture, big screen televisions, free computer and internet access, food and drinks, a library full of movies and video games and much more.
“Club 7 provides a family,” said Senior Airman Anastasia Miles, U.S. Air Forces in Europe operations branch technician and Club 7 volunteer. “A lot of us don’t have anyone here and to be able to find people to hang out with helps a lot. Everyone appreciates the home-cooked meals on Friday nights as well; they feel and taste like they were cooked with love.”
While this is a great place to hang out in a social setting with other Airmen, there are some rules that need to be observed.
“Even though our motto is ‘Honor God, Serve Airmen and Pursue Excellence,’ there is no pressure to conform to any religious or spiritual format,” said Deppe. “All we require is that anyone coming in our doors respect themselves, others and the Club’s policies of no alcohol, foul language and tobacco usage.”
Club 7 is managed and run through volunteer Airmen who have an interest in serving and since it is run by volunteers, the club may be open at odd hours aside from their “normal” time. Whenever the blinds are up and the lights are on, Club 7 is open for business. Club 7 activities are not limited to the club itself however.
“We have the opportunity to go on trips,” said Airman 1st Class Justin Aguilar, 86th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron unity security manager and Club 7 volunteer. “In August we went on a canoeing trip, we went to a Christmas market recently, and the best thing is that all these trips are affordable.”
Club 7 is open from 6 to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 6 p.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday, and 4 to 10 p.m. Sunday.
“On a special note, we provide a Christmas Day breakfast and dinner at the Ramstein location and a dinner at Kapaun,” Deppe said. “There are always Christmas surprises at both locations.”
