This
article is provided courtesy of Stars & Stripes,
which got its start as a newspaper for Union troops during the Civil War, and has been published continuously since 1942 in Europe and 1945 in the Pacific. Stripes reporters have been in the field with American soldiers, sailors and airmen in World War II, Korea, the Cold War, Vietnam, the Gulf War, Bosnia and Kosovo, and are now on assignment in the Middle East.
Stars and Stripes has one of the widest distribution ranges of any newspaper in the world. Between the Pacific and European editions, Stars & Stripes services over 50 countries where there are bases, posts, service members, ships, or embassies.
By Jessica Inigo Stars and Stripes European Edition
DARMSTADT, Germany — With major troop
rotations coming in and out of the desert, the Armed Forces Recreation
Center Europe is now serving soldiers taking block leave upon their
return from the Mideast.
Commanders determine companywide dates for block leave, when all soldiers
in a company can take leave at the same time.
Military members, as well as Department of the Army civilians returning
from deployment, can take advantage of AFRC’s program that was initially
set aside only for troops home on 14-day rest and recuperation leave.
To enjoy the Operation R&R package, troops must be on block leave
after completing a one-year tour from Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation
Enduring Freedom, according to an AFRC statement released in January.
The package provides two overnight hotel stays in Garmisch, with breakfast
and dinner provided both nights for $90 for a single traveler or $120
for double occupancy. For a third overnight stay, singles are $45
and doubles are $60. Teen-agers from 13 to 17 are $9 per day and children
under 12 stay and dine at the hotel for free. Additional nights may
be added following arrival, based on availability, according to the
statement.
Tours and recreational activities are offered for $15 per day per
person.
“The Operation R&R program lets block leave participants spend quality
time relaxing with family,” Richard LeBrun, general manger, said in
the statement issued by AFRC. “We want to help servicemembers have
a unique experience and plenty of rest in order to be ready to continue
their important missions.”
The AFRC resort in Europe is set in the Bavarian Alps in southern
Germany and has been providing vacations for servicemembers and their
families for more than 58 years.
