Wing picnic day of family fun

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Tanisha Brown
  • 512th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  More than 2,000 wing members and their families gathered for festivities at the 512th Airlift Wing biennial picnic Aug. 6 at Eagle's Nest here.

Some of the many attractions included live entertainment, inflatable attractions, water fun, face painting, food and free ice cream.

"This event is a way to thank reservists and their families for their dedication, service and support; we couldn't complete the mission without you," said Col. Randal L. Bright, 512th AW commander.

"The picnic was a great outing to be able to spend time with family, not just biological family, but wing family too," said Chief Master Sgt. Mark Banks, 512th Security Forces Squadron security forces manager. "It was a definite success because there was something here for everyone."

The event kicked off with the quarterly commander's call when the wing commander recognized award recipients and winners of the 5K Run, Walk and Crawl, which took place that morning. Tech. Sgt. Harry White, 512th Operations Support Flight, placed first with a time of 18 minutes, 47 seconds; and, Senior Airman Sirintra Fisher, 512th Memorial Affairs Squadron, was the first female to cross the finish line with a time of 22 minutes, 4 seconds.

"I've never won a race before and didn't expect to win this one, but the weather was great, and I'm excited I won," said White.

The adults were not the only ones to receive recognition. As part of the Galaxy Adventure, some of the Wing's little Airmen were coined on stage at the commander's call by the Wing King and 512th Airlift Wing Vice Commander Col. Dave K. Berkowitz.

That morning, more than 50 children participated in the 2011 Galaxy Adventure tour, hosted by the 512th Airman and Family Readiness Center. The event showed children of reservists what their parents do while they are working for the Air Force Reserve.

This was just the beginning of the fun-filled day. Picnic attendees were treated to a free performance by country music singer Joe Diffie and Rhythm in Blue, a jazz ensemble with the U.S. Air Force Heritage of America Band out of Langley Air Force Base, Va.

Diffie has had 35 songs on the Billboard Hot Country chart including five number one singles such as "Third Rock from the Sun" and "Pickup Man". The Air Force Reserve sponsored the musician as part of the Get One Now program, a recruiting tool reservists can use to refer people interested in joining the AF Reserve.

"I've been to picnics in the past and having the band is always great, but having a live performance by Joe Diffie this year was an added bonus," said Laurel Sweet, wife of Capt. Christopher Sweet, 512th Logistics Readiness Squadron logistics readiness officer.

"It was real nice of him to come here to do this for us, and he is a real nice guy," said Tech. Sgt. Rodney Douglas, 512th Maintenance Squadron aviation maintainer, who got a photo with Diffie during the artist's meet and greet session at noon.

"Fantastic" was the word Senior Master Sgt. Tim Ward, 512th Operations Group loadmaster, used to describe Rhythm in Blues, a 13-piece ensemble which plays jazz, blues and funk. "Their sound is so professional," he said. "Their music brings back visions of World War II and the big band era; I love it. I hope to see these guys back."

The adults were not the only ones enjoying the day. Children's laughter could be heard throughout Eagle's Nest.

Banks, who was joined by his wife and two children, said the Kid's Zone was the most exciting aspect of the picnic. Evan Banks, 5, agreed with his dad.

"It's fun," said Evan who added he enjoyed the waterslide the most because it has water.

"The kids are having fun and that's pretty much how you gauge everything," said Banks.

For many reservists, the picnic was a nice break from the hectic training weekends.

"This event is a welcomed change of pace from the normal routine," said Staff Sgt. Marcel Washington, 512th Maintenance Squadron jet mechanic.

While there was a lot of fun and entertainment out at the Eagle's Nest, a lot of hard work had to be done to make for a successful event.

Tech Sgt. Frank Dudley, 512th Maintenance Operations Flight knowledge management specialist, spent the majority of his time working the food serving line.

"I saw that there was a shortage in servers, so I took it upon myself and volunteered to make sure every member of our wing got served," said Dudley. "The atmosphere was amazing; everyone was smiling and seemed to be having fun in this stress-free environment."

Senior Airman Moses Ross, 512th Communications Operations Flight knowledge operations management, was excited from the start of the picnic, he said.

"This is my third wing picnic and it's getting better each year," said Ross. "I really enjoy the time to mingle with members of the unit outside of the office.

"I can't wait for the next one," he added.

It will be a bit of a wait. The next wing picnic is scheduled for the summer of 2013.