THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, April 13, 1995 TAG: 9504130004
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A14 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Medium: 58 lines
Your editorial regarding the armed forces recreation center Shades of Green (``Shades of Goofy,'' March 25) certainly gives the public an incorrect perception of our operation. I would like to provide some facts for the record. I emphasize at the outset that no taxpayer dollars are involved in this project.
The Army has successfully operated armed forces recreation centers since the end of World War II. The centers, which are located in several countries, feature hotels, food and beverages and offer many forms of recreation including skiing, hiking, swimming, tours and sailing.
Shades of Green in Orlando opened in response to decreasing overseas stationing, a desire to provide a tangible benefit to soldiers during a period of significant turbulence and a significant market demand. Military life has always been stressful, but in today's world, the need for wholesome recreational outlets is vital to our force preparedness.
Shades of Green is overwhelmingly popular with soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines. More than 200,000 military family members will visit Shades of Green every year. The primary objective, which has been met, was to provide soldiers and their families, particularly junior soldiers with young children, with a wholesome, secure, quality vacation opportunity that would otherwise be unaffordable to them.
Although it is true that the hotel did have a cash loss during the first year, that loss can be overcome. Most new hotel ventures do not generate cash profits in the start-up year. The Army planned the pass/fail decision by the end of year three.
We have implemented operational adjustments to reduce costs and increase revenue, and we are considering other alternatives that will cause the operation to become self-sufficient. Meanwhile, it is true the Army can underwrite the Shades of Green loss from profits of other armed forces recreation centers and morale, welfare and recreation operations. Again - no taxpayer dollars will be used.
Until the long-term decisions are made, the Army does not intend to disadvantage junior people by arbitrarily raising their rates or by selling all the rooms to high-ranking personnel. We at the U.S. Army Community and Family Support Center are in the business of taking care of soldiers and their families. In these times when the armed forces have more people deployed to more places in harm's way than ever before, this is the right thing to do. The impact of this highly visible program on morale and readiness is immeasurable.
JOHN G. MEYER JR.
Brigadier general, U.S. Army
Commanding
U.S. Army Community and
Family Support Center
Alexandria, April 5, 1995 by CNB