59th year, No. 10
Serving the Nato, Naples and Gaeta military community in italy
Traveling to the Top of Germany
Friday, March 14, 2014
W hat ’ s I nsIde
By MCSN Weston Jones, Navy Public Affairs Support Element – East, Detachment Europe I’m standing on top of a mountain. It’s a clear day and I’m breathing crisp, cold air and taking in a 360-degree view of more than 200 mountain peaks jutting up from four countries. A combination of fierce winds and my nerves sends chills down my spine as I peer over the railing and look thousands of feet down at a little village nestled in a valley. That’s what it was like to stand on top of Zugspitze, the tallest mountain in Germany. My adventure began early one Friday morning at Capodichino. I caught a flight to Munich, which took about as long as a drive to Rome. I headed to the Edelweiss Lodge and Resort near GarmischPartenkirchen for a weekend getaway and a little skiing on the Bavarian Alps- a lifelong dream of mine. From the Munich airport, it was easy to get a train to where I needed to go. There were plenty of help desks that offered guidance. Thanks to the punctual German rail system, I was in the quaint Bavarian village of GarmischPartenkirchen by lunchtime. Though I could have taken a taxi, I walked from the station to Edelweiss to take in the picturesque village. The houses and cottages along the way were wellkept and felt distinctly “German.” Every car seemed to be a Volkswagen, Mercedes or BMW. Low, overcast clouds hid how tall the mountains around the valley village were. The air was so fresh and clean. After 20 minutes, I arrived at Edelweiss. It felt like a classic rustic mountain retreat inside and out. The exterior façade was stone and timber; the interior impressed me with its massive stone hearth and leather chairs in the main lounge.
CNO Talks Compensation: Pay, BAH, and TA Page 5
A view of the Alps from the top of Zugspitze, the tallest mountain in Germany. (Photo by MCSN Weston Jones)
I was expecting a nice hotel, but found Edelweiss was even more than that. It had plenty of amenities to take advantage of after a long day of skiing, including a restaurant, sports shop, outdoor heated pool and hot tub. There was also a coffee shop, bar and casino. I stayed in a standard room that was very spacious and Americansized. There was a small balcony with chairs to relax and take in the view of the mountains. Free Wi-Fi was provided, courtesy of the VFW. The television had all the standard AFN channels as well as local TV. Star Wars: A New Hope, dubbed over in German, was hilarious.
I got up early the first day to do some skiing. The weather was on my side. With the clouds gone I grasped the full the size and beauty of the mountains. Edelweiss had a ski shop set up at the base of the slopes of Garmisch-Classic ski area where authorized Department of Defense personnel could buy lift tickets and rent everything they needed, including ski pants and jackets, for a reasonable price. There were also lockers for stowing valuables. I hadn’t skied in years, so I took the first hour to get my bearings. I soon discovered that the average slope in Garmisch is more challenging then some places I have
skied in Colorado and New Mexico. I felt like an amateur as children did jumps and flew past me with impossible speed. Every view from the ski slopes was immensely beautiful; the air was fresh and it was easy to soak in the festive atmosphere of others having a carefree time. There were restaurants all along the ski slopes for those that are hungry or just need a break. Why not enjoy a nice bratwurst and perhaps some Bavarian “weissbier” (wheat beer) in true German fashion? And you just can’t beat the view on a nice clear day.
The Religious Ministries team from Naval Support Activity Naples hosted a National Prayer Breakfast at the Bella Napoli Conference Center, March 7, to give community members an opportunity to come together to share a meal and prayer. “We’re gathered here because we have a common belief that prayer matters,” said guest speaker Adm. Bruce Clingan, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces EuropeAfrica. “If we want to prevail in combat, we must be technically, physically, emotionally and spiritually ready,” said Clingan. Prayer holds deep roots in the history of the world and the United States Navy allows Sailors to participate
in the practice openly. For many years, the Navy has welcomed Sailors from all faiths. Lt. Dirk Caldwell, a command chaplain, said allowing Sailors to practice their faith is an invaluable asset. “What our nation is all about is inclusion, expression of that faith, to not be hindered by it,” said Caldwell. “I think that especially rings true when folks are deployed or in harms way and they can still call on their God.” Serving on a ship for several months, or out on the front lines, can be challenging. Clingan said having the ability to practice one’s faith can help during hard times, and spirituality is key to accomplishing the mission. “I encourage you to pray for each other that we might fully deliver on our obligation to God, family and country,”
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National Prayer Breakfast Held at Capo By MC3 Matt Wright, American Forces Network Naples
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Adm. Bruce Clingan, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa, speaks at a National Prayer Breakfast held at the Bella Napoli Conference Center at Naval Support Activity, Naples, March 7. The breakfast was hosted by the Naval Support Activity Religious Ministries team and mirrored the tradition held annually in Washington, D.C., with the president. (Photo by MC3 Matt Wright)
said Clingan. “And that we might be blessed with the strength, the courage, the stamina, and wisdom to sustain America as one nation under God, indivisible.” The prayer breakfast mir-
rored the tradition held annually in Washington, D.C., on the first Thursday of February. Each president since Dwight D. Eisenhower has participated in the National Prayer Breakfast.
FRIDAY High 64 / Low 49 Clear
SATURDAY High 62 / Low 49 Partly Cloudy
SUNDAY High 63 / Low 50 Partly Cloudy