MWR Liberty Cove Center entertains the single Sailor

Liberty is a great resource for single and unaccompanied active duty service members from E1-E6. The center has computers for Sailors to use to get on the Internet, pool tables, ping-pong tables and lots of TVs to watch movies and play video games. Plus, Liberty holds a Texas Hold 'em tournament on a weekly basis and ping-pong, pool, bowling and various video game tournaments periodically.

ABE2 Dale Reese from TPU uses the recreation center frequently. "It's an awesome program. It's a place you can get away for a few hours. Whatever is going on at work, you can come here and forget about it. It's like a little oasis in the middle of chaos," Reese said.

Single Sailors AT3 Greg Rice, YN3 Joann Gonzalez and SK2 Patrick Harbin stand outside the Times-Union Center for The Perfoming Arts, Moran Theater with Liberty Cove's Recreation Manager Danny Calhan. Calhan drove the Sailors downtown to see David Copperfield Jan. 29. Photo by MC2(AW/NAC) Kaitlyn Patterson

"The Liberty program is for the junior enlisted single Sailors and geographical bachelors, primarily those who live in the barracks. The recreation center is an extension of the barracks; it would be like their living room if they were at home," said Liberty Program Coordinator Danny Calhan.

"Other than the recreation center, we also offer trips, special events and tournaments to try and get them out of the barracks. We also use our MWR facilities and Jacksonville attractions and local events. Our main purpose of the program is to provide healthy alternatives to just going out to bars and drinking. We use the recreation center as a teaser to get them out and then when they get in here, we tell them, 'hey, this is what else we have to offer.'"

Other monthly events include taking Sailors to the Orange Park Mall to see a movie, last buck barbeques, which are free and held the day before payday, trips to the Comedy Zone for Sailors 18 years and older and a birthday bash, where Sailors whose birthday is in that month get a birthday surprise.

From left, Steven Michaels from NSB Kings Bay, Ga., Rusty Neesham from VP-30 and Kristine Mitchell, assistant program coordinator for the Liberty Cove Recreation Center, ride the ski lift to the top of the slope at Maggie Valley, N.C. on a recent Liberty trip for single Sailors. Photo courtesy of Liberty

Liberty also plans many exciting trips and vacations for single Sailors throughout the year. In the month of January, Liberty has taken Sailors to the Gator Bowl, a Jacksonville Barracudas game, an Orlando Magic game and downtown Jacksonville to see David Copperfield.

One single Sailor who attended the David Copperfield show, YN3 Joann Gonzalez from VP-30, was chosen at random to go up on stage during one of Copperfield's illusions. She helped other audience members hold a large tarp where a classic green Lincoln convertible magically appeared right before everyone's eyes.

"I was looking directly at it! I was like, wow! I was stunned. I don't know what else to say," commented Gonzalez on her experience.

Megan Elliot, the MWR Youth Activities Center director, also accompanied the group to the show. She was chosen at random to pick two lottery numbers and gave Copperfield her birthday as identifying information. When a locked box that was hung in plain view prior to the show starting was opened, the two numbers and her birthday were written on a piece of paper and recorded on a cassette tape located in the box. Elliot got to keep the paper and cassette tape as a souvenir.

Comedians Brian Thomas, second from left, Al Ernst, third from left and Ian Gutoskie, far right, pose with single Sailors on a Liberty trip to the Comedy Zone Jan. 31. Photo by MC2(AW/NAC) Kaitlyn Patterson

The recreation center also hosted a skiing and snowboarding to Maggie Valley, N.C. on Jan. 25-27. "I think the best thing is that I did not have to drive all that way, which is approximately 500 miles. Instead, we were taken there by bus. I personally love travel by bus. We had someone to talk to and had a chance to watch few movies," said Dmitry Osinovsky, a single Sailor from VP-30, who went on the trip.

"I am really happy that I went on this trip and I hope MWR is going to offer more similar trips throughout the year."

Calhan's favorite part of the job is interacting with the Sailors. "It's fun, because although I'm a little older than they are, I can relate on their level. When I do the programming, I think, 'What would I like to do?' But I just like interacting with the Sailors, they're all different, they all have their quirks, but I think they're all fun to hang out with. It's like they're just a bunch of my friends that I drive around," he said.

ATAN Michael Odonnell and AT3 Justin Campbell both of VP-30, eat some dinner prior to the show starting at the Comedy Zone. MWR's Liberty Recreation Center takes single Sailors there to enjoy the show usually once a month. Photo by MC2(AW/NAC) Kaitlyn Patterson

Kristine Mitchell, assistant Liberty Program manager, also enjoys interacting with the Sailors. "I like learning about all the different people who come from everywhere. They all have a different point of view and sometimes they shock you, in a good way, though, not a bad way."

If you are a single Sailor and want to join Liberty on a trip next month, call 542-1335 for more information. Upcoming events include the St. Augustine Greek Festival, a Valentine's Day dinner and a movie trip, Jacksonville Car Show, Cummer Art Museum and Gardens, Northeast Scottish Festival at Clay County Fairgrounds and a trip with the NAS Jacksonville Flying Club to St. Augustine for lunch.