The Exchange’s Kaiserslautern Military Community Center on Ramstein Air Base was the place to be for Super Bowl LX, as TKS, USO and the Ramstein Exchange hosted an exciting celebration for service members and their families. The free event brought the energy of the Seattle Seahawks vs. New England Patriots championship matchup, 11 years after their iconic Super Bowl XLIX showdown, to the heart of the Kaiserslautern community.
Festivities were scheduled to kick off at 10 p.m., but with crowds already lining up outside the Exchange’s main entrance, organizers opened the doors early to accommodate the demand. Attendance swelled to more than 800 guests, significantly larger than last year’s turnout, as every seat inside the venue quickly filled, with families and friends even rolling out blankets on the floor to settle in for the night. All attendees enjoyed complimentary plates of pizza, chicken wings and fries provided by the Exchange’s food vendors, the USO and TKS, as part of the pre-game tailgate featuring music, games, giveaways and family-friendly activities.
By the time the national anthem began at 12:30 a.m., fans were already gathered inside the Exchange’s flagship venue after hours of pre-game tailgate activities. The Seahawks and Patriots matchup at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, was streamed live in high-definition on a TKS’s massive 20-foot LCD screen, and the packed crowd was more than ready, many singing along to the anthem in true patriotic fashion, creating an atmosphere that felt like being back home for the Super Bowl.
“The Super Bowl is a huge moment for our service members and their families, and the Exchange was thrilled to bring that experience to Ramstein,” said Col. Bud Lacroix, Army & Air Force Exchange Service Europe/Southwest Asia/African Region commander. “From the tailgate to the big-screen viewing and all the activities, the event created a real sense of home and community for everyone here.”
Throughout the night, attendees enjoyed a live DJ, a photo booth and plenty of games for the whole family. A biggest fan competition gave Seahawks and Patriots supporters the chance to show off their team pride, while young guests enjoyed kid-friendly activities throughout the venue.
Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) schoolteacher and military spouse Shannon Baker, a Patriots fan who grew up cheering for New England thanks to her Boston roots, said events like the Exchange’s Super Bowl tailgate party help re-create a sense of togetherness overseas.
“I think it’s great for overseas service members and families to have a community where they can watch the game together,” Baker said. “You miss being in a living room with a big group of people or family back home, and this really brings that feeling back.”
Families from across the Kaiserslautern military community lined up at the Exchange’s main entrance to be the first to grab a seat and enjoy the festivities.
“With more than 700 people in attendance, we couldn’t have asked for a better turnout,” said Sgt. Maj. Ashley Ikegwuonu, Exchange Europe/Southwest Asia/African Region Senior Enlisted Advisor. “Bringing the community together to celebrate something special, no matter where in the world they may be, is exactly what the Exchange is all about.”
It didn’t matter which team guests were rooting for, everyone was welcome to join the big celebration.
Airman Nicholas Lerma, assigned to the 603rd Air Operations Center and a Seahawks fan attending his first duty station overseas, said the Super Bowl tailgate helped make Germany feel a little more like home.
“I think it’s pretty cool that they host something like this, especially with it being so late,” Lerma said. “Having everyone come out and be together as a community for such a big event back in the States makes it really special that they include those of us overseas.”
Whether it’s tailgates in Poland or movie nights in Lithuania, the Exchange continues to bring a piece of home to service members around the globe.
“This event perfectly embodies the Exchange’s ‘We Go Where You Go’ motto,” Ikegwuonu said. “It was a chance for military families to experience the Super Bowl and all the excitement of home, no matter where they are stationed.”
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