European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - August 13, 1989, Darmstadt, Hesse                                The club scene More than Coffee with gossip by Wendy Bourland stall writer w Helios people imagine  Raj on Al a  ulry wives . They Centre up scenes olb ored housewives griping about then disobedient children and Iligir husbands duly hours or of social butterflies o changing gossip Over cups of Collet True some met out those Days such scones Are less common in add on to sponsoring coffees. Leas and other social unctions wives clubs today often play a Villa role in the Community. They raise Money Lor scholarships Community activities and charitable organizations their members put in numerous Volunteer hours in support of a variety of activities. Since Many women married to military men Are not Only Fullil Hng their responsibilities As a Ivos and mothers but also Mealing the demands of a Job outside the Home they find in hard to find line for club meetings social events and volunteering. Wives clubs survive nevertheless but they May nol be As popular As Hoy once were army enlisted wives clubs were once open Only to the wives of soldiers in grades e 4 and above with at least two years at service. That practice ceased in 1979. A Usa Reuh spokeswoman said Cyl military communities retain the option of creating an All ranks enlisted wives club separate Junior enlisted and no wives clubs or both most air Force base enlisted wives clubs Are open to All ranks a Safe spokesman said As in the army each Community decides what it wants in Naples. Italy there Are two clubs Lor enlisted wives the non commissioned officers wives club a nato organization and the Navy wives club of America the utter a open to spouses of Coli Ted members of All branches of the . Military Bolh clubs report Milf Cully in attracting members karm Dewitt. The wife of a first sergeant in main West Germany and president of the Mainz no pm sponsor club believes the army made the decision to open wives clubs to All ranks because they wanted the younger ones to learn from the senior ones but not Many of the Junior wives  she said 44 women belong to the Mainz club nol one is the wife of a Soldier e-3 or below Dewitt attributes the Lack of participation by wives of the Tower enlisted to several factors Many limes. The women have Small children at Home and can t get or afford a baby  a sense of intimidation also plays a part in attendance she said the younger wives feel out of place Al these meetings they Aren t familiar with military life and they feel lonely. We try to encourage them to attend with friends but they Don t seem to want to do this1. Dem also thinks Many of the Young women Are angry and frustrated about their situation they Aren t Happy with the military lifestyle they Don t have much Money Many of them Are stuck at Home jobless with Small children Hoy Don t understand the language Here the re lonely without old friends and family they gel upset when a yield problem comes up because they feel completely alone " the women then internalize these feelings and turn against anything  although the club offers help to these .-.omen, they Only see a club associated with the military trying to infringe on them they Don t Trust the  she said similar situations exist in other communities Pat Byron the wife of a Soldier stationed in Nurnberg West Germany thinks that the wives of the lower enlisted need someone to personally come to the door if you be never been there before going the f St time by yourself is hard they re afraid of bang embarrassed. Sas � do Bihon some husbands think wives club meetings Are gossip sessions even though they be never been to a meeting says Cam Harris president of the Merrell Barracks enlisted wives club in Nurnberg. Lots of limes it s the husbands  she said they think it s just a gossip session Byron is a member of the Merrell Barracks enlisted wives club in Nurnberg she and others who Are Active in the clubs praised the benefits of membership i joined because it gives you More insight into your husband s work she said it helps you understand when he Cornea Homo tale. And there s people to Call  he s Ono there also the Tun Riiff Judy Kirk  husband is a  Frap and stationed in f inf Una said Chr  a i t s can otters a a Jock c Nancy to get try it a i s the Tamarack no our f jnv1/ becomes i Licois  ouro a Latium a Beloro you Piura m and make your Cor upper Heyford enlisted wives club in England no matter what they Tell you in the slates you can i be prepared is Dond Karen Dewitt president of the Mainz no pm spouses club says that a number of factors explain Why wives of the lower enlisted Are not Active in the clubs. You have to have a Good support system when you live  in addition to praising the camaraderie and support provided through the clubs Many women interviewed also said they enjoy club Volunteer projects some Volunteer in Hopes the work they do and the contacts Hoy Mako will Lead to a paying Job. Others already working outside the Home like giving time to the Community or club. Cindy Howard former president of the enlisted wives club in Heidelberg West Germany and Linda Pressey. A member of the club who is married to an Arm is Raj cant said joining the wives club enhanced their lives. The Volunteer work they perform gives them a sense of satisfaction and Wheeling and dealing with Community leaders has sharpened their wits and Given Thorn self Confidence. We had been in the club three or Lour months and found ourselves tasked with running a car Wash Bernice Tyson volunteers her time at the toy lending Library run by the Navy wives club in Naples. A  v,., i Ftp of to a k s is"rv4is id a jew Page 16 the stars and stripes sunday August 13.1989