Café gives Airmen a space of their own

  • Published
  • By Lea Johnson
  • 21st Space Wing Public Affairs staff writer
PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. --  The Eclipse Cyber Café hosted its grand reopening party Sept. 28 complete with food, games, door prizes, and, of course, coffee.

The café was closed for a majority of the summer while a new contract provider was found.

Now that it's open again, Airmen in the dorms have another place to socialize and get a free coffee, provided by the chapel and prepared by Sarah Sasamoto, the café barista.

According to Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Tim Porter, 21st Space Wing chaplain, Eclipse is intended to be a safe, alcohol-free environment.

"There are sofas and an easy chair in one room and there are big screen TVs in several corners so people can watch movies or play video games," Porter said. "The back room has some computers in it where they can email or game. It's also got internet access so people can take their laptops in."

"Re-opening the café is an important step," said Col. Chris Crawford, 21st Space Wing commander. "It not only provides our hard-working Airmen a great place to relax, but also keeps us on track to make Peterson AFB the best place to live, work and visit in the Air Force."

During the reopening party, Airmen enjoyed dinner, a computer gaming tournament, karaoke and prizes, including gift cards and a custom built gaming computer.

Staff Sgt. Anthony Bean, chapel NCO in charge of program support, said he hoped this event would bring Airmen out of their dorm rooms and to the café more often.

"Don't let this be the last time you come. This is for you, you guys have earned this. If there's anything you'd like to see at the cyber café, let us know," he said. "It's OK to be by yourself but don't get to the point where you spend all your time alone."

Even though the café is sponsored by the chapel, no religious affiliation is required to get coffee or use the services at Eclipse.

Additionally, the café is available to any religious group to use as a meeting space during non-business hours.

Eclipse Cyber Café is open Wednesday and Thursday 5-10 p.m., Friday and Saturday 5 p.m. to midnight, and Sunday 1-9 p.m.

 

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