2012 55th Wing Birthday Ball Published Jan. 17, 2012 OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. -- The 55th Wing holds its 34th annual birthday ball, March 31 at the Embassy Suites Convention Center in LaVista, Neb. The event is open to all active duty and civilian members of the wing, retirees, and by invitation to local dignitaries and is the wing's largest formal social function each year. The event is hosted by Brig. Gen. Donald Bacon, 55th Wing commander, and his wife Angela. The birthday ball was originated by retired Brig. Gen. Regis F. A. Urschler, commander of the 55th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing, in January 1979. His idea was to connect the wing's heritage to active-duty personnel and missions. That tradition continues even today. The ball celebrates the 71st anniversary of the unit from its activation as the 55th Pursuit Group at Hamilton Field, Calif. in Jan. 1941, during World War II. The 55th Pursuit Group later became the 55th Reconnaissance Group, which stood up at MacDill Field, Fla. in Strategic Air Command in Feb. 1947; the 55th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing from 1950 to 1992, at Barksdale Air Force Base, La.; Ramey AFB, Puerto Rico; Forbes AFB, Kan.; and at Offutt AFB, Neb., up to the present. This year's theme is "Three Generations of Integrity, Excellence, Service" recognizing the storied history of the wing and the men and women who performed, and continue to execute, the many and varied missions the 55th operates worldwide in support of peacetime and in the war on terrorism. Capt. Stan Montoya, 55th Strategic Communications Squadron, leads the ball committee made up of people from a cross-section of the wing's units. Capt. Megan Kessen of the 45th Reconnaissance Squadron is the vice chairman. Retired Gen. Ronald R. Fogleman is this year's guest speaker. Fogleman served as Air Force chief of staff from October 1994 - August 1997. Dave Webber, a TV personality from WOW-TV in Omaha, will act as the master of ceremonies for the event. Webber served in the Air Force at Offutt with the SAC Elite Guard before starting his broadcast career. Other items on the program include appropriate military ceremonies; induction of new members into the 55th Wing Hall of Fame; presentation of the 55th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing Association Award for Excellence; and the traditional cutting of the birthday cake by the senior member in attendance, and the youngest member of the wing. Raptor, a nine-piece ensemble of the Heartland of American Band, will provide entertainment after the ceremonies. Accommodations at the Embassy Suites are available at a special rate of $119, plus taxes and fees. For reservations, call 800-362-2779 (EMBASSY), mention the code 55W, or 55th Wing Birthday Ball, to get the event rate. To get the special rate, reservations must be made no later than Feb. 27. The 13th edition of an additional event associated with the ball called "Tales of the 55th," takes place March 30 in the Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James M. McCoy Airman Leadership School. Doors open at 3 p.m. for informal socializing, and viewing of heritage and history display. At 4:30 p.m., veterans of various periods of the wing's history will relate their personal experiences. The event is co-sponsored by the 55th Wing Association, the strategic Roost of the Association of Old Crows the Lemay Flight, Order of Dadaelians. It is coordinated and emceed by retired Col. Jim Thomas, president of the 55th Wing Association. The "Tales of the 55th" event is informal, with food and beverages available. A $4 donation will be collected at the door to cover refreshments.