More than 150 service members and their family members participated in an Indoor Olympics Competition held at the Naval Base
Kitsap (NBK) Bremerton Recreation Center, July 12.
Participants competed in recreational games such as bowling, billiards, table tennis, and gaming console competitions.
“We are really excited about our new facility and the staff wanted to celebrate the upcoming Beijing Olympics by hosting our own
indoor games,” said Lela Wessner, NBK Resource Center management. “We plan to host a different event at the recreation center
quarterly.”
Wessner added that some Sailors don’t have a place to go home to and this is where they can have a fun and safe place to hang
out after work.
Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) sponsored the event and provided free pizza and beverages for all the contestants. Sailors
also won prizes like t-shirts, gift certificates and entertainment tickets.
“This is the best recreation center I’ve been to, and it has everything here,” said Storekeeper Seaman John Baldwin, USS John C. Stennis
(CVN 74). “I enjoy the events they host and I am excited to compete in the [video game] competition. I am pretty good at the game we
are competing in so I figure why not try out, since I enjoy the hobby.”
Before the contest, special guest and professional billiards player Richard Geiler demonstrated a variety of pool table trick shots and
billiard tips to service members and patrons.
“I enjoy being able to pass on billiard tricks to service members,” said Geiler. “I am doing this to support the Sailors and a way to say
thank you for what they do. America is proud of what they do for our country. People don’t realize how important their service is to the
nation.”
For one Sailor, Geiler’s performance was very amusing and educational.
“It’s nice to see a professional billiard player come out here and spend an afternoon with us to teach us a few of his tricks,” said Aviation
Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) Airman Daniel Lopez, from John C. Stennis. “I love to play pool and this will help me enhance my own skills
and ability.”