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US Army Garrison Vicenza is a close-knit, progressive community whose primary focus is meeting the needs of soldiers, family members and civilians of the U.S. Army Southern European Task Force (Airborne) (SETAF). Located in one of the most beautiful areas in northern Italy, it offers a multitude of cultural and travel experiences to make an assignment to Europe the absolute best.
USAG Vicenza consists of two military communities; Vicenza and Livorno. More than 11,000 service members, family members and civilian employees, are supported by USAG Vicenza, which covers an area about the size of Massachusetts.
Along with the famous cities of Venice, Verona and Florence, there are many other fascinating towns to be explored and experienced in USAG Vicenza area, including Padua, Pisa and Milan.
The American military presence in Italy dates back to 1951, when the U. S. and Italy concluded negotiations to establish a line of communication and supply through Italy, in support of troops in Austria. Under the agreement, Italy provided the land and the United States began construction of a military post, a general depot and a port which were to be the basic facilities for the logistical command.
Vicenza, a thriving, vibrant city with a population of nearly 150,000, lies at the foot of the Dolomites and is a 45-minute drive west of picturesque, historic Venice. It's home to Caserma Ederle, headquarters of the U.S. Army Southern European Task Force (Airborne) (SETAF), a major subordinate command of the US Army, Europe, and the only major U.S. Army organization south of the Alps.
SETAF's mission is to provide trained forces, including a joint task force headquarters that is deployable within 72 hours. The installation is on the east side of Vicenza, not far from the Vicenza East (Est) exit off Autostrada (A4) which runs from Venice to Milan and is a short bus ride, or even a leisurely walk, from downtown.
Favorite excursions of Vicenza residents include the nearby towns of Camisano and Padova, both of which have weekly markets selling everything from antiques to weed eaters, and the historic towns of Bassano del Grappa and Marostica, where ceramics and grappa are produced. The romantic canals of Venice are also a favorite experience. Many make trips to Venice to purchase the fine Venetian and Murano glass produced on the island of Murano.
USAG LIVORNO
Livorno is in Tuscany, a region that is rich in both history and culture. Headquarters for the USAG Livorno is on Camp Darby, a 20-minute drive south of Pisa, home to the world-famous Leaning Tower. Though the military community is small, it has most of the facilities typical of a U.S. installation. They're just a bit smaller in size.
This military complex between Pisa and Livorno was formally dedicated on 15 November 1952 and named Camp Darby in memory of Brigadier General William O. Darby, Assistant Division Commander of the 10th Mountain Division, killed by enemy artillery on 30 April 1945 on the shore of Lake Garda, Italy.
Camp Darby is only a one-hour train or car ride from the city of Florence, the production center for fine Italian leather. Rich in culture, Florence boasts hundreds of art museums and historic sites, all of which make it one of the most interesting cities in Europe. Florence is also home to the world-famous Uffizzi Gallery and Michaelangelo's masterpiece, the statue of David.
Verona. Headquarters for Land Forces South, a NATO command, is located in downtown Verona, a prosperous city of approximately 258,000 inhabitants. Though personnel of the U.S. element assigned to LANDSOUTH live in economy quarters, there is a small compound outside the city center comprising an elementary school, AAFES shoppette, club, gym, library and youth center. Students seventh through 12th grade commute to the DoDDS school on Caserma Ederle, Vicenza.
In addition to the many shops, restaurants and open air markets, Verona is bursting with historical structures all within walking distance of each other, including a 2,000-year-old Roman arena, castles and medieval piazzas. Verona was also the setting of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, and you can see the balcony from which the heroine supposedly asked Romeo "wherefore art thou?"
SPECIAL EVENTS.
Each community enjoys a cordial relationship with its Italian neighbors. Communities in USAG Vicenza sponsor Italian-American fests that include entertainment, rides, games, fireworks and a variety of delicious foods. Vicenza's two-day Fourth of July Festa draws over 20,000 persons, and Camp Darby has a ten-day carnival starting in late June and climaxing with a Fourth of July beach party and fireworks at the American beach. Camp Darby's Run to the Tower, a 12-kilometer run from the base to the Leaning Tower of Pisa on the last Friday in October, is popular with Americans and Italians alike.
Every year in February, Italian communities sponsor Carnevale, an event similar to Mardi Gras in New Orleans. Some of the most spectacular celebrations take place in Venice and Viareggio, the narrow streets of which are crowded with revelers dressed in colorful historical costumes. The evenings are filled with parties, music, dancing and fireworks displays.
SPORTS AND RECREATION
- American Beach. The crown jewel of USAG Vicenza recreational facilities is the American Beach near Camp Darby in Tirrenia, at the southern end of the Italian Rivera. The beach, open between Memorial Day and Labor Day, offers water sports gear rental, beach chairs, umbrellas, cabanas and a MWR food and beverage operation.
- Camping. Complementing the beach is the campground located on Camp Darby. The Sea Pines Recreation Facility offers 93 campsites for trailers and tents, and also has ten RV pads. For those who don't want to rough it, the Sea Pines Lodge on Camp Darby offers 39 newly renovated rooms, that are clean and reasonably priced for military personnel and their family members vacationing near the beach.
- Sports. The Vicenza and Livorno military communities offer a full range of indoor and outdoor facilities, as well as thriving community team sports programs, community clubs and bowling centers. Each community offers well-equipped gymnasiums and fitness centers complete with Stairmaster, Life Fitness, Nautilus machines and free weights. Both offer aerobics classes, indoor racquetball and basketball courts. Tennis courts are also available.
- Outdoor Recreation. The Outdoor Recreation Center Livorno and the Adventure and Travel Center in Vicenza have much to offer the sports enthusiast. The one at Camp Darby has camping equipment, bicycles and a full scuba program to include certification in open water diving, advanced open water diving, medic first aid and rescue diver. Night and wreck dive trips on a 13-meter boat can also be scheduled. Equipment for outdoor sports can also be rented at the centers.
- Swimming Pools. Both the Vicenza and Livorno communities are equipped with swimming pools, open throughout the summer. One pool in Vicenza is enclosed during the winter months, providing year-round opportunities for safety courses, plus recreational swimming.
- Leisure. The Information Tours Recreation (ITR) office in Livorno and the Adventure Travel Center (ATC) in Vicenza offer a variety of moderately-priced leisure time experiences, including cultural tours, cooking classes and wine tasting. ATC also sells city bus tickets and tickets to regional events, shows and concerts.
FAMILY AND SINGLE SOLDIER SUPPORT
- CDS CYS. Child Development and Youth Services, is committed to providing quality developmental child care in the Vicenza and Livorno communities. It is available for children ages 6 weeks to 12 years. CDS CYS Vicenza also offers Family Child Care (FCC) homes in community housing areas and the School Age Services for after-school care.
- YS. Youth Services conducts a variety of programs designed to promote social interaction, personal growth and recreational skills in youth ages 6-19. YS provides fun and unique activities for youth, including summer camp, open recreation, sports and special events. Sports programs include baseball, T-ball, soccer, swimming, basketball and cheerleading.
- Health Services. The Primary Care Clinic (PCC) at Vicenza is available to the community for immediate care and appointment patients. Though it is not an emergency room, it does have a birthing center and is capable of treating acute minor illnesses and lacerations and conducting screening after discharge from an Italian medical facility.
The Livorno clinic has a pharmacy and handles immunizations, obstetrics, ophthalmology, otolaryngology (ENT), pediatrics/well baby, radiology (x-ray only) and casts. U.S. patients with major illnesses or major surgical requirements in both communities will be admitted to host nation hospitals or other U.S. military facilities such as the ones at Landstuhl, Germany, or Naples.
TRICARE-Europe is alive and well in Vicenza and Livorno. Active duty soldiers are automatically enrolled in TRICARE Prime. Family members must make a choice, enrolling in either TRICARE Prime or TRICARE Standard. The Dental Clinic Command, Vicenza, provides dental care facilities for patients throughout USAG Vicenza. Both Vicenza and Livorno have well-staffed, modern facilities.
- Music and Theater. The award-winning Soldiers' Theatre in Vicenza gives community residents the opportunity to apply their talent in a variety of areas, including acting, singing, dancing, designing costumes and sets, lighting and theatrical production. A full season of plays, musicals and classes are scheduled during the year.
- Schools. The Vicenza Elementary School staff has 21 regular classroom teachers, grades K-6, and a support staff of 18, including art, music, physical education, media services, host nation, counseling, a school-wide enrichment program, English as a second language, compensatory education and nursing services. The school has an Italian language immersion program in grades K-4 as well as a Sure Start program.
The DoDDS Livorno Unit School is located in two buildings on post and services students in Pre-K through 12th grade.
Vicenza High School offers the DoDEA curriculum. It has 21 classroom teachers and specialists for Talented and Gifted, Learning Impaired, English as a Second Language, Cooperative Work Experience and Guidance programs, an information specialist and a school nurse. Activities include varsity sports, forensics, drama club, model senate, student council, yearbook, band, chorus and special interest clubs. Both the elementary school and high school also offer an array of co-curricular activities. All teachers and specialists have computers in their rooms.
- Chapels. The Caserma Ederle and Camp Darby community chapels offer Catholic and Protestant services and assistance for special religious requests. Each chapel has religious education, counseling and youth activities. The Vicenza Post Chapel and the Adventure and Travel Center can provide detailed information on local religious activities and special tours of the Vatican during the Easter and Christmas seasons and a schedule of Papal Masses.
- ACS. Army Community Service (ACS) in Vicenza and Livorno promote personal and family self-reliance and readiness. Major areas of emphasis are money management, career development, health, strong family support groups, family member employment assistance, relocation assistance and volunteer activities.
- Volunteers. The Installation Volunteer Coordinator (IVC), located with ACS, assists agencies in publicizing their needs for volunteers and helps individuals find jobs that are best suited to their personal interests and goals. Much like an employment office, the IVC maintains a community job bank. Volunteers are placed in positions based on their individual interests, goals, skills, availability and experience.
- Single Soldier Support. Many barracks at Caserma Ederle have been converted into single soldier quarters, which feature two-soldier rooms with private baths and individual entrances. Quarters also have common areas for recreational activities and cooking. Caserma Ederle has on-post housing called "Villaggio" and barracks for single soldiers. Camp Darby has no on-post housing, but does have barracks/dormitories for single soldiers and airmen. Government and private leased units are available in the local community and the housing offices are set up to help find available accommodations.
FACILITIES
- Guest Houses. Caserma Ederle in Vicenza is the home to the Ederle Inn, a modern, 117-room hotel. Each room has a private bath, microwave, sink and refrigerator. VIP suites are also available. The guest house on Camp Darby, Casa Toscana, offers clean, well-appointed accommodations.
- Shopping. The Vicenza Exchange is the largest mall complex (over 80,000 square feet) south of the Alps. The beautiful complex offers a full service main store, a one-hour photo shop, optical shop, specialty vendors, PowerZone, food court, beauty/barber shop and Italian gift shop. Additional AAFES facilities in the area include car sales, flower shop, car rental, Burger King, military clothing sales/tailor shop, launderette/dry cleaners, shoppette, theater and auto parts/garage. In addition to the main store the Livorno PX offers a pick-up point and gift service mart, a shoppette, a tailor shop and a theater. Both exchanges also sell gas coupons for Italy and Germany and oil coupons for Italy.
Each community also has a full-service commissary. Vicenza's offers the latest in meat, produce and hot food deli sections. The Camp Darby facility was once named the best small commissary worldwide in a Department of Defense competition.
- Clubs. The community clubs in Vicenza and Livorno are open to all soldiers, family members, civilians and retirees. The Darby Community Club offers family dining, musical entertainment with DJ and large screen TV.
- Bowling centers in Vicenza and Livorno also provide affordable entertainment and food and beverages.
- Auto Skills Centers on Caserma Ederle and Camp Darby can help you keep your car running. They have bays and tools for do-it-yourselfers, plus experienced mechanics if you get stuck. The $2.2 million Vicenza center has eight bays.
- Education Centers. The ones in Vicenza and Livorno offer a wide range of services and opportunities for all community members. University of Maryland has extension programs in both communities. The education centers also provide tuition assistance, vocational counseling, college entrance tests and learning resource centers.
- APOs. Each community in USAG Vicenza has full-service Army post offices for all authorized customers. The APOs provide parcel service and transport all classes of mail from priority to express. They transport APO-to-APO mail free when "MPS" is written in the upper right corner of envelopes and packages.
- Banking. Military credit unions and Italian banking facilities with automatic teller machines (ATMs) and money exchange service for most European currencies are available. Each community finance office cashes checks up to $745 per week and converts dollars to euros to pay rent and utility bills.
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