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Host Nation Council relocates desk

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Luke J. Kitterman
  • 52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany --  The Host Nation Council Spangdahlem e.V. officially opened their information desk at the Saber Conference Center on base Sept. 5, 2014.

The desk will be available to all Sabers looking for opportunities and events happening in the surrounding German communities to continue promoting the German-American relation. Desk hours are Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Thursday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

According the HNC website, the council was founded September 22, 2003, during the celebration of Spangdahlem's 50th anniversary. Since then, it has been the council members' goal to organize cultural and social events in the immediate environment for the men, women and children of Spangdahlem Air Base.

"Most of the Americans stationed in Germany are located in Rhineland-Palatinate, therefore, it is the region's responsibility to establish a good relationship with the Americans," said Dr. Michael Dietzsch, former HNC president, in a statement provided by the HNC website. "By founding the Host Nation Council, we were able to gain the support of most villages, districts and cities that surround Spangdahlem Air Base and could therewith get the political backing to provide the Americans with support in many areas, to invite them to special events while they are stationed here and are our guests."

In addition to providing Sabers with events embodying their culture, the HNC also has programs like "Adopt an Airman" where young airmen live with German host families to fully experience German life.

"Friendship must be continued by the youth, "said Rodger Graef, HNC district administrator. "Therefore, we make an effort placing young Americans with German families to enhance the already existing amicable contacts and to make each American that is leaving the Eifel for the US or anywhere else in world a great ambassador for the Eifel, for the Federal Republic of Germany. We should consider ourselves lucky that we have been able to experience many, many peaceful years under the protective umbrella of the Americans and I hope it will stay like this in the future."

Whether it's a new desk or giving a young Airman the opportunity to be immersed in German culture, the HNC has been contributing to the success of giving Saber Nation a 'home away from home.'

For more information about the Host Nation Council Spangdahlem e.V., check out their website at http://www.hostnationcouncil.de.