Graf hosts grand openings galore

By USAG Grafenwoehr Public AffairsOctober 15, 2010

Graf hosts grand openings galore
1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – GRAFENWOEHR, Germany - Sgt. Marece Klauser, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, samples some ribs during the grand opening of the Warrior Zone at Rose Barracks, Oct. 1. The Warrior Zone is cozy place for Soldiers to play video games, access Wi-Fi and just ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Graf hosts grand openings galore
2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Graf hosts grand openings galore
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GRAFENWOEHR, Germany - The U.S. Army Garrison Grafenwoehr community celebrated several grand openings, recently, including the USOAca,!a,,cs new pavilion, the bowling alleyAca,!a,,cs Java Cafe (both on Main Post), and the new Rose BarracksAca,!a,,c Warrior Zone.

More than 50 Soldiers and family members gathered at the USO pavilion, Sept. 28, as the organization concurrently opened its outdoor entertainment area and celebrated the USOAca,!a,,cs one-year anniversary at Grafenwoehr. The pavilion features an outdoor theater and audio system, two smokers and grills, and six handcrafted log picnic tables. In addition, the outdoor area is within range of the USOAca,!a,,cs free Wi-Fi service.

Aca,!A"The USO has a special place in my heart and I know it does for our Soldiers, too,Aca,!A? said Brig. Gen. Steven Salazar, commanding general, Joint Multinational Training Command, during the ceremony.

Salazar said more than 49,000 community members have used the facility since it opened one year ago.

One of those 49,000, Sgt. Michael Miranda, an evacuation noncommissioned officer with the 172nd Infantry Brigade, is among the USOAca,!a,,cs regulars.

Aca,!A"I love the USO,Aca,!A? Miranda said as he took the last few bites of his lunch. Aca,!A"A lot of people donAca,!a,,ct use it to its full effect.Aca,!A?

Miranda said he routinely reminds his Soldiers to go over to the USO to call their families.

In addition to its three phones at which users can make free calls to the United States, the USO provides an Xbox game room, childrenAca,!a,,cs area complete with Disney movies and a Wii console, and offers free, home-cooked meals Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, from 5:30-6 p.m.

In October, Fridays (Oct. 15 and 29) are BYOS (Bring Your Own Steak), where community members bring items to grill and the USO provides the side dishes and condiments. Units can also reserve the pavilion for an organizational day or party.

For upcoming events, including a Halloween costume party and a midnight showing of Aca,!A"The Rocky Horror Picture Show,Aca,!A? visit www.usografenwoehr.com or stop by the USO.

Java Cafe

The new Java Cafe on GrafenwoehrAca,!a,,cs Main Post opened its doors to the applause of approximately 40 people, Sept. 30. Those in attendance were treated to samples from the new food and drink menu, which included Starbucks hot and frozen coffees, a variety of sandwiches, wraps, grilled paninis and PrimoAca,!a,,cs pizza.

Aca,!A"WeAca,!a,,cre so happy itAca,!a,,cs finally complete,Aca,!A? John Ramsey, business operations officer for the bowling alley and cafe. Aca,!A"This project has been in the making for six years.Aca,!A?

The cafe was remodeled from the former restaurant, Lane 25. It has a warm, inviting atmosphere where customers can sit and relax. There are areas for eating or just lounging and wireless Internet is available.

Aca,!A"What makes this Java Cafe different is that itAca,!a,,cs not just a coffee shop, itAca,!a,,cs a full service restaurant and bar with the most robust menu of any Java Cafe in the Army,Aca,!A? said Ramsey.

The cafe offers more than its Vilseck counterpart because in addition to coffee, the cafe will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner.

The cafe opens at 7 a.m. for breakfast and is closed Wednesdays. For more information, call the Main Post Bowling Center at DSN 475-6177, CIV 09641-83-6177.

Warrior Zone

More than 100 Soldiers and family members packed the vestibule of the Rose BarracksAca,!a,,c Warrior Zone prior to the ribbon cutting, Oct. 1. The Zone occupies Building 227, the former home of Aca,!A"YesterdaysAca,!A? and Aca,!A"RosieAca,!a,,cs Diner,Aca,!A? across the street from the veterinary clinic.

Col. Vann Smiley, commander, USAG Grafenwoehr, expressed his excitement about a place where Soldiers could let their hair down.

Aca,!A"To see a place like this that is built for Soldiers Aca,!" that is something we should have done a long time ago. This is your Warrior Zone,Aca,!A? he said, before calling three volunteers to the front to cut the ribbon and officially open the Zone.

Attendees poured into the center, grabbing a seat on one of several oversized couches in the main room as Ironman II played on the big screen. Others headed to the Xbox, Wii and PlayStation3 game rooms after filling their plates with hors dAca,!a,,coeuvres.

Aca,!A"I like it Aca,!" it looks like the one downrange,Aca,!A? said Sgt. Marece Klauser, Regimental Support Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment. Klauser said she planned to use the Warrior ZoneAca,!a,,cs computers and TVs but doesnAca,!a,,ct really play video games.

In addition to the gaming rooms and main room, the Zone features 13 free Internet consoles, free Wi-Fi, and a small multipurpose room with a separate sound system and movie projector, making it twice the size of its Main Post sibling.

Less than a half an hour into the opening, an officer dropped a crisp $100 bill and said the next $100 worth of drinks were on him. A line quickly formed.