Offutt Appreciation Picnic on the horizon Published May 26, 2011 By Senior Airman Peter R.O. Danielson 55th Wing Public Affairs OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. -- Belts are loosening as more than 5,000 hamburgers, 2,500 polish sausages and 2,500 hot dogs are getting ready to be grilled for Team Offutt's military, civilian, retiree and family members during the annual Offutt Appreciation Picnic June 10 at Offutt's base lake. For those seeking a little time outdoors after a cold and wet spring, the free Offutt Appreciation Picnic is scheduled to show thanks to all 12,000 base employees and their families for being an integral part of the community. Besides free food and drinks, many varieties of entertainment will be available for attendees. The band Out of the Fire will begin playing 11 a.m. and door prizes will be passed out as early as 11:30 a.m. Offutt children can enjoy face painting, pony rides, inflatable's and petting animals from the Henry Doorly Zoo. This level of appreciation could not be shown without a steady stream of work from the Offutt Advisory Council, a group of local community leaders who gather once a month to discuss the ways they can support servicemembers. "Each year the Offutt Advisory Council, Bellevue Chamber of Commerce and volunteers from all over the metro area come together to put on an appreciation day picnic for our military families," said John Hansen, president of the Offutt Advisory Council. "This is just one of the ways we want to say thank you to our military families for the many sacrifices they make in support of our nation." "If it wasn't for what you [military families] do every single day, we wouldn't be able to turn around and pay you back like this," said Lyle Ward, chairman of the Offutt Appreciation Picnic. Shuttles will run from the lower parking lot of U.S. Strategic Command to the base lake from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Additional parking is available at the lake, but people are advised to use the shuttle service in order to mitigate potential traffic congestion. As a reminder, no coolers, backpacks or pets, aside from service dogs, are allowed at the picnic.