Camp Eagle opens new Community Activity Center

By Spc. M. Benjamin Gable-2nd Combat Aviation Brigade Public AffairsAugust 8, 2008

Opening the new Camp Eagle Community Activity Center
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

CAMP EAGLE, South Korea - The quality of life greatly improved for Camp Eagle Soldiers and Family members on July 18 with the grand-opening of the new Community Activities Cente.

Col. John E. Dumoulin, U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys commander, opened the ceremony by speaking of the hard work and dedication needed to complete the renovation of the CAC. Dumoulin also affirmed his commitment to improving the quality of life at Humphreys Garrison.

"We want to do anything we can to help improve the quality of life within the community," said Dumoulin. "And this new community activities center will help us do that.

Col. Joseph A. Bassani, 2nd Combat Aviation Brigade commander joined Soldiers, Korean Augmentation to the U.S. Army Soldiers and Family members for the ceremonial ribbon cutting, officially opening of the facility. The building was once used as a component repair facility. With renovations complete, the CAC will now provide the Camp Eagle community with a place for rest and entertainment.

More than $30,000 was saved by refurbishing this center. The savings will be used to purchase more items for Soldiers and family members to enjoy.

The CAC offers a movie and television room, ping pong and pool tables, reading room and video game center, among others. There is also a music room for practice and play.

One Camp Eagle Soldier who was happy the new CAC opened was Cpl. Jason Lavender. It means so much to Soldiers who have lived at Camp Eagle in the past to now have a place to relieve some of the everyday stresses, said Lavender, an Apache maintainer with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 2nd Aviation (Attack) Regiment, 2nd CAB. Lavender has been stationed at Camp Eagle for two years and remembers when they didn't even have a commissary.

"The new CAC will really boost the morale of Soldiers living here," Lavender said. "We are all excited to be able to finally have a place like this."

The CAC is one of the latest amenities Camp Eagle offers its community. A library is currently being constructed on the top floor of the CAC and will give Soldiers and Family members a place to use the Internet and check out books. A coffee shop is also in the works. Morale, Welfare and Recreation will also use the CAC to promote its activities such as trips to nearby ski resorts. Though other installations have more amenities, Camp Eagle remains a favorite to residents here.

"Camp Eagle is one of the best secrets in the Army," said Capt. Bryan Zesiger, Company D, 1st Battalion, 2nd Aviation (Attack) Regiment commander. His family was also present for the ceremony. "We now have something for everybody," he added.