Stripes enlisted club set to open

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Nathan L. Maysonet
  • 47th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  After nearly a year without a place for the enlisted to call their own, the Stripes enlisted club is set to open its doors for business Jan. 20 thanks to an effort from across Team XL.

"I am inspired by the spirit of 'community' the members of Laughlin have displayed coming together to make this venture possible," said Chief Master Sgt. Ray DeVite, 47th Flying Training Wing command chief. "I have witnessed civilians, officers and enlisted volunteering their time side-by-side to ensure the enlisted Airmen have a place to call home."

The task of converting Jack's Place here into the soon to be enlisted club was a challenging endeavor made possible by contributions from across Laughlin.

"It was a huge effort in terms of time and people, with everyone contributing a little piece of the puzzle," said Master Sgt. Tammy Kinder-Tims, 47th Operations Support Squadron assistant chief controller. "We have had representatives from every corner of the base volunteering."

The decision to build the club out of Jack's Place was made when initial estimates showed that repairing the damage to Club Amistad would be costly and not worth the effort.

"It would not have mattered how much money we put into Amistad," said Chief Master Sgt. Michael Ogden, 47th Mission Support Group superintendant. "It would have been like putting lipstick on a pig, we are lucky our leadership recognized that and supported our endeavors to bring Stripes to fruition."

Work began on the club in October of 2011 when the initial demolition began. Throughout November and December the civil engineering squadron got the ball rolling by laying the club's foundation.

After the holiday break the project picked up as volunteers came in to lend their time and support into making the club a success.

"Rank went out the window as we all worked together as Team XL," said Airman 1st Class Michael Kester, 47th Communications Squadron network infrastructure and club volunteer. "The club looks like something that everyone can take pride in."

With more than 90 volunteers averaging four hours a day amounting to 2,400 hours of volunteer work, Stripes is set to fill the void left when Club Amistad closed.

"It is a small community for enlisted here and it gives us that bond," said Master Sgt. Nick Kurpier, 47th Security Forces Squadron first sergeant. "Sure we could go to Club XL, but to get out with friends we now have a place."

From the bar to each and every table someone has taken time out of their day and put in that extra effort to make the opening of Stripes a reality.

"It has been a long time coming since the incident at Amistad," said Ogden. "The enlisted corps has been seeking a place of their own and our outstanding Airmen now have a high quality enlisted club in Stripes."