Airmen find place to chill

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Anthony J. Hyatt
  • 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Imagine yourself as a brand new Airman at Tyndall Air Force Base. Now think about that weekend coming up where you don't know anyone, you don't have a vehicle to travel anywhere and you're bored. What do you do? Head to the Living Room, a place that has re-opened for the Airmen to kick back and relax.

"It is open for all dorm residents who want to come to a fun alcohol-free environment," said Staff Sgt. Sean Finley, 325th Fighter Wing Chapel NCO in charge and Living Room coordinator.

TLR is attached to the laundry room in the back of bldg. 1036.

Usually open on Fridays, the chapel has a scheduled it to be open on multiple days throughout the week. A calendar has been sent to all Tyndall dorm residents.

Thanks to donations from the Officers Spouses' Club, the chapel was able to purchase a 1080 pixel high definition projector for TLR. A dvd/vhs player with surround sound is hooked up to the projector.

"It's like having your own little movie theater," said Sergeant Finley. "Previously, people have donated dvd's and games."

A Playstation 3 was also purchased with the Chapel Tithes and Offerings Fund to fully utilize the potential of the projector. In addition to, various board games and a second television set are available.

"Ultimately, we want the dorm residents to be the people to open and close the Living Room," said Sergeant Finley. "Two individuals have already volunteered to help."

Key holders will make sure the room doesn't get roughed up, and clean up before they lock up, according to the chapel.

"The Living Room has been revived," said Airman 1st Class Zachary Kuiper, 325th Civil Engineer Squadron firefighter, dorm resident and a volunteered key holder. "It just gives us (Airmen) something to do."

Places like this weren't available to Airmen in the past.

"Airmen should come (to TLR) because it's a comfortable place to hang out within walking distance from all of the dorms. It's a great place to socialize and meet other people from other squadrons on the base," said the sergeant. "It's a great alternative from going downtown, drinking and making some bad decisions. I wish we had something like this when we lived in the dorms."

If you have any questions about the Living Room or would like to be a volunteer and be a key holder, call the chapel at 283-2925.