| HCSC...Spanning 60 Years |
The first ships arrived in Bremerhaven in
April 1946, carrying wives and children.
The ships would sail weekly across the
Atlantic Ocean, through the English
Channel to the North Sea. After 10 days of
sailing, the ship finally docked at
Bremerhaven and Liaison Officers from
the major military communities would
come aboard to help organize the next leg
of this exciting journey. Those who were
stationed in the Bremen area would
debark immediately while those who were
stationed elsewhere would remain on
board for one last night.
April 1946, carrying wives and children.
The ships would sail weekly across the
Atlantic Ocean, through the English
Channel to the North Sea. After 10 days of
sailing, the ship finally docked at
Bremerhaven and Liaison Officers from
the major military communities would
come aboard to help organize the next leg
of this exciting journey. Those who were
stationed in the Bremen area would
debark immediately while those who were
stationed elsewhere would remain on
board for one last night.
1960 Welcome Coffee
For the families headed to Heidelberg,
the train departed Bremerhaven at 8:15
am and arrived in Heidelberg at 11:20
pm. After 15 hours, the train finally pulled
into the station where a band and
refreshments were waiting. It was at this
time that families would be reunited with
their soldiers.
the train departed Bremerhaven at 8:15
am and arrived in Heidelberg at 11:20
pm. After 15 hours, the train finally pulled
into the station where a band and
refreshments were waiting. It was at this
time that families would be reunited with
their soldiers.
1960 Farewell Tea
According to the handbook, by
January 1947, the Army estimated that
there would be 650 families living in
Heidelberg. In 1948, the spouses who
called this area home founded the
club which, at that time, was named
Heidelberg American Women's Club.
A year later in 1949, the Thrift Store
January 1947, the Army estimated that
there would be 650 families living in
Heidelberg. In 1948, the spouses who
called this area home founded the
club which, at that time, was named
Heidelberg American Women's Club.
A year later in 1949, the Thrift Store
1960 Welcome Coffee
was started and the profits were used to fund welfare requests, which back then was an
average monthly donation of $200.
In 1958, the club celebrated its 10th birthday. The theme for the year was "An activity for
every woman, a woman for every activity." Their birthday celebration consisted of a
fashion show highlighting the latest trends for the fall season. Reservations were limited
to the first 500 members and cake and coffee were served for 25 cents.
The 1960's were a decade of unrest--a time when the Cold War was at its most intense
period and tours in Germany became brief as soldiers were being sent to the conflict in
Vietnam. Despite world events, the club continued its mission of welfare and fellowship
for the Heidelberg community. There was a record membership in 1961 with 709
members! In 1964, the first Christmas Fair was held, featuring thirty vendors. This event
was the forerunner to our current Holiday Bazaar.
average monthly donation of $200.
In 1958, the club celebrated its 10th birthday. The theme for the year was "An activity for
every woman, a woman for every activity." Their birthday celebration consisted of a
fashion show highlighting the latest trends for the fall season. Reservations were limited
to the first 500 members and cake and coffee were served for 25 cents.
The 1960's were a decade of unrest--a time when the Cold War was at its most intense
period and tours in Germany became brief as soldiers were being sent to the conflict in
Vietnam. Despite world events, the club continued its mission of welfare and fellowship
for the Heidelberg community. There was a record membership in 1961 with 709
members! In 1964, the first Christmas Fair was held, featuring thirty vendors. This event
was the forerunner to our current Holiday Bazaar.
The first of several name changes
occurred in 1965 when the
membership decided to name the
club Heidelberg Officer Wives' Club.
The 1970's and 80's were decades where
Europe was still focused on the Cold
War. The Army was now an all-volunteer
force, and the number of families
stationed in Europe was at an all-time
high. The club had many volunteers that
carried on the legacy of a successful
Thrift Shop and Bazaar, allowing the
club to continue to support many welfare
projects. Another name change
occurred during this time to the
Heidelberg Officer and Civilian Wives'
Club.
occurred in 1965 when the
membership decided to name the
club Heidelberg Officer Wives' Club.
The 1970's and 80's were decades where
Europe was still focused on the Cold
War. The Army was now an all-volunteer
force, and the number of families
stationed in Europe was at an all-time
high. The club had many volunteers that
carried on the legacy of a successful
Thrift Shop and Bazaar, allowing the
club to continue to support many welfare
projects. Another name change
occurred during this time to the
Heidelberg Officer and Civilian Wives'
Club.
1964 Anniversary
Once the Berlin Wall came down in
1989, the military's mission changed.
The 1990s saw forces being drawn
1989, the military's mission changed.
The 1990s saw forces being drawn
24th Anniversary Celebration
down and OPTEMPO picking up. Soldiers from Heidelberg deployed to the Persian Gulf,
Bosnia, Kosovo, and other places around the world to help with various peacekeeping and
humanitarian missions.
As the 20th century was winding down, the club's name changed to reflect a new category
of members, our male members. The new name was Heidelberg Officer and Civilian
Spouses' Club.
The events of September 11 presented our military with new challenges and we are
currently battling a war that is unlike any other. However, for our modern day military
spouses, the separation that we feel when our soldiers and civilians march off to
far away lands is the very same feeling those spouses from decades ago faced.
In 2004, the club voted to change the name to Heidelberg Community and Spouses' Club,
and that vote made a statement that told the community every spouse is valued,
regardless of rank, for they all endure the same types of hardships and share
the same blessings. The members of HCSC work hard to bring a better quality of life to
families living in the Heidelberg Military Community.
Bosnia, Kosovo, and other places around the world to help with various peacekeeping and
humanitarian missions.
As the 20th century was winding down, the club's name changed to reflect a new category
of members, our male members. The new name was Heidelberg Officer and Civilian
Spouses' Club.
The events of September 11 presented our military with new challenges and we are
currently battling a war that is unlike any other. However, for our modern day military
spouses, the separation that we feel when our soldiers and civilians march off to
far away lands is the very same feeling those spouses from decades ago faced.
In 2004, the club voted to change the name to Heidelberg Community and Spouses' Club,
and that vote made a statement that told the community every spouse is valued,
regardless of rank, for they all endure the same types of hardships and share
the same blessings. The members of HCSC work hard to bring a better quality of life to
families living in the Heidelberg Military Community.
The past six decades have brought an enormous amount of political and social change.
In spite of these changes, our club has continued to provide a place for spouses to
volunteer their time and make a difference in their community.
The experiences of the first military spouses to arrive in Heidelberg are detailed in the
book titled An Introduction to Germany for Occupation Families, which was published by
the G-1 of the United States Forces Europe in 1947. This book detailed what the family
would encounter as it was transplanted in Occupied Germany. It covered everything from
what to expect in domestic life such as new quarters, the PX, schools, and traveling and
what to expect with life after the war such as war rubble and displaced civilians.
In spite of these changes, our club has continued to provide a place for spouses to
volunteer their time and make a difference in their community.
The experiences of the first military spouses to arrive in Heidelberg are detailed in the
book titled An Introduction to Germany for Occupation Families, which was published by
the G-1 of the United States Forces Europe in 1947. This book detailed what the family
would encounter as it was transplanted in Occupied Germany. It covered everything from
what to expect in domestic life such as new quarters, the PX, schools, and traveling and
what to expect with life after the war such as war rubble and displaced civilians.
1966 Welcome Tea
