Photo By Sgt. Kevin Stabinsky | Soldiers work out, Jan. 19, at Freedom Rest. Freedom Rest, a former Republican Guard...... read more read more
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by Sgt. Kevin Stabinsky
2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division Public Affairs Office
FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU, Iraq – Soldiers who get a four-day pass to Freedom Rest can enjoy a break from the more difficult aspects of deployment.
Freedom Rest, a former Republican Guard officers' club located in Baghdad at the edge of the International Zone, now serves as a place of rest and relaxation for U.S. Soldiers.
Soldiers are allowed to wear civilian clothes, sleep in every day and follow their own schedule while at the retreat.
The whole point is to create an atmosphere of relaxation to help take Soldiers out of the stresses of deployment, said Octavia Evens, Freedom Rest Morale, Welfare and Recreation coordinator.
Staff-sponsored activities at the facility opened Oct. 17, 2003, by the 1st Armored Division, help fill the hours and set the atmosphere for the thousands of Soldiers who visit the facility.
"I encourage everyone to participate in all the activities," said Pfc. Akilah Lewis, 26th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division.
Lewis, who attended Freedom Rest Jan. 17 to 20, said her favorite event was the Big Splash competition, held on the afternoon of her second day. The competition, held at the outdoor heated swimming pool, lets divers vie for title of top splasher as voted on by a trio of judges looking for splash, presentation and pain in determining their scores. Each diver gets two dives from the pool's 5-meter and 10-meter diving tower.
"I'm just wild and crazy like that," Lewis said of her decision to join the competition.
Although too afraid of heights to dive, Pfc. Monica Martin, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 26th Brigade Support Battalion, was there to cheer her friend on. While Lewis did not win the prize, a donated bag full of snacks, a gift card and music CD from the 86th Combat Support Hospital, the two went on to try numerous other events together.
"We got here and had a ball," said Martin, a native of Ashbury Park, N.J. Her favorite memories of the trip include singing TLC's "No scrubs," with Lewis, serving as back-up dancers for other acts during karaoke night and shopping at local markets located adjacent to the facility.
"I love to shop," admitted Lewis, a New Bern, N.C., native.
Evens said there are plenty of activities for Soldiers who prefer more solitary activities. Movies are shown in the lounge's theater, and Soldiers can check out one of more than 1,000 movies available for viewing on either their own computers and DVD players, or big screen TVs in the lounge and common areas of the sleeping quarters.
Many books and comfy seats are available for readers or Soldiers can simply sleep the hours away in the comfort of their dual-occupancy room or common area couches.
In addition to sleeping to restore lost energy, an onsite dining facility feeds the hungry three hot "squares" a day, along with a 24-hour sandwich, snack and ice cream bar.
A gym complete with cardio equipment, free weights, machines and sauna is available for those who want to work off some of the desserts picked up at the dining facility. Volleyball courts, football fields and basketball courts are also available for Soldiers, either alone or during one of the games hosted by the MWR staff.
"It ain't home, but it is the next best thing," Martin said. "Enjoy your four days."
As for advice on how to enjoy those four days, Lewis offered the following. "Go wild. Why not? You can't get smoked if you act a fool."
She recommended taking pictures to remember the mini-vacation. However, Soldiers who don't possess a camera can still get some tangible memories; the MWR takes photos of every event and puts them on a CD for those interested.
Soldiers can give the staff ideas for future events by filling out a survey at the end of their stay. New ideas gained from surveys included adding more indoor activities during the winter months, Evens said.
Comments from surveys will help the facility evolve into a more pleasing environment, which is the main goal of the place, said Evens. With a mother and cousin in the Army, she added she can understand the need for Soldiers to have a small break from deployment.
"As a soldier, Freedom Rest is very much needed. All Soldiers should have some."
| Date Taken: | 01.28.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 01.28.2008 13:44 |
| Story ID: | 15835 |
| Location: | ISKANDARIYAH, IQ |
| Web Views: | 405 |
| Downloads: | 334 |
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