A Home Fit for Heroes

April 1982

中文

This skylight gives a bright and cheerful atmosphere to the Taipei Armed Forces Hero House during the daytime.

At one time, military servicemen in the Republic of China had no really satisfactory place to stay when they were sent to Taipei on assignment. But now, all that has changed, since the government opened the Taipei Armed Forces' Hero House, a bright modern white-brick building in the central part of the city.

On entering the seven-story building overlooking a spacious boulevard, the visitor passes the service desk in the plush lobby. The elevator will take him up to the top floor where the general's suite is located, with its television set, private telephone, coffee table, sofa, twin spring mattress bed, stereo system and private bathroom with shower. The visitor may feel he has entered one of the many modern hotels in the city, but may change his mind when he hears the price. An equivalent room anywhere else would cost more than US$30 a night, but here the rate is less that US$3.

Subsidized by the government, the Armed Forces House was built with comfort and convenience in mind. There are many large meeting rooms, both quiet and secure, for discussions of confidential matters. Helpful and courteous service personnel who have received special training in hotel management make their guests feel completely at home.

Also available for guests are a 30,000-volume library with up-to-date magazines and newspapers; a recreation room complete with games and other forms of entertainment and an inexpensive cafeteria. A floor by floor description of the "hotel" is as follows:

Sub-level 1: Cafeteria, Chinese restaurant, bar, kitchen, garage.

1st Floor: Reception desk, officers' and enlisted men's dining hall, 24-hour service personnel.

2nd Floor: Reading room, recreation room, four small conference halls, small mess hall.

3rd-7th Floor: Conference and reception rooms. 212 rooms housing 644 men. Included are General's suites and VIP suites, as well as rooms for high-ranking officers.

Many of the officers' rooms have television sets, stereos and private bathrooms.

Room rates: VIP-NT$200 (US$5.40) per night.

Officers' rooms-NT$100, 80, 60, 40, 30, 20 depending on rank and number of men per room.

The Armed Forces House, as well as other similar places owned by the various branches of the military, was established for servicemen whose needs in the past were often over-looked. For example, a soldier's pay was invariably 10 percent lower than that received by school teachers or public functionaries. Their social status was so low that parents would discourage their sons from enlisting. A housing unit for servicemen was built in Taipei in 1955, but it was inadequate and poorly equipped.

But 30 years of economic prosperity and political stability in Taiwan have made better things possible. The military is now on a par with other professions; and the men enjoy their job. There are excellent fringe benefits such as family education and medical plans and summer retreats are available. After 15 years of service, servicemen can receive an income bonus, and enjoy an excellent retirement scheme after 20 years of service. Perhaps most important, however, is that their social status has been uplifted. The Hero House is undoubtedly a symbol of their new status and public image.

[Picture Caption]

1. This skylight gives a bright and cheerful atmosphere to the Taipei Armed Forces Hero House during the daytime. 2. Main lobby. 3. Auditorium. 4. Television room. 5. Reading room.

1-4. These facilities are used to entertain VIP's or high-ranking military officers. 5. This five-man suite comes with a stereo and private bath. 6. Three-man suite. 7.8. The general's suite and general's reception room. 9. The new Air-Force recreation center and 10, the former center. The Hero House and this recreation center are the results of the government's plan to provide better welfare and leisure facilities for servicemen.

The Air Force recreation center. 1. Main lobby. 2. Games room. 3. Lieutenant's suite. 4. Major general's suite. 5. Main cafeteria. 6. Servicemen and guests can order Western food in this facility. 7. Weddings can be performed in the center.

The Ocean Villa Officers' Club is yet another facility provided for the use by Naval officers.

Main lobby.

Auditorium.

Television room.

Reading room.

These facilities are used to entertain VIP's or high-ranking military officers.

This five-man suite comes with a stereo and private bath.

Three-man suite.

The general's suite and general's reception room.

The new Air-Force recreation center and 10.

the former center. The Hero House and this recreation center are the results of the government's plan to provide better welfare and leisure facilities for servicemen.