Grins, gratitude galore during Airman Appreciation Day

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Peter R.O. Danielson
  • 55th Wing Public Affairs
OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. --  More than 300 junior enlisted members of the Air Force, Navy, Army and Marine Corps gathered at Offutt's base lake Oct. 16 for the Airman Appreciation Day Barbecue and Comedy Blow-out. 

This free event, hosted and planned by the Elite Four Airmen's Council featured live comedy, a cook out, bonfires, marshmallow roasting and a disc jockey.

The Elite Four is an enlisted network that provides a platform for Offutt's Airmen to express their concerns to senior leadership and become involved within the communities on and off base. 

"I've been super excited for this for months, and every one of Offutt's professional organizations helped," said Airman 1st Class Katelyn Thiele, the Elite Four's morale officer and a materiel manager with the 55th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron. 
 
Support for the event came from Offutt's 5/6 Network, Top Three Network, Chief's Group and Company Grade Officer's Council.

"The Elite Four has struggled to put together an all-Airmen event before, and created four or five great events on paper," Airman Thiele continued. "This event had all of the best parts of those previous plans." 

Airmen Appreciation Day provided an opportunity for the junior enlisted to get together and relax after a summer full of exercises, air shows and inspections, said Airman Thiele. 

"Most of the day-to-day work is done by these young Airmen," said Chief Master Sgt. Joseph Figueroa, a member of the Chief's Group and the 97th Intelligence Squadron's cryptological operations supervisor. "But most of the credit goes to the rest of us. That's why we have days like this, to pay them back for their hard work." 

The festivities started in the cold autumn air with hot dogs and hamburgers, grilled by some of Offutt's first sergeants.

While the men and women of America's military ate, camp fires were lit to warm chilled fingers and ears. 

The planning for Airman Appreciation Day started two years ago, as the Airmen Mess Games, said Chief Master Sgt. Lisa Sirois, 55th Wing command chief. While Airmen were interested in the idea, she said base events like the Operation Readiness Inspection pushed the mess games back time and time again. Finally, organizers for the 2009 Wingman Day offered to combine the two events, and the Elite Four welcomed the proposal. 

"Combining the two allowed us to take the plan one more step and put more energy toward the entertainment," said Chief Sirois.

The two concepts fit well, she explained. 

"Wingman Day is about Airmen taking care of Airmen, and Airman Appreciation Day is a day that allows our NCO corps to thank our junior Airmen for what they do each and every day," she said. 

After eating, the main attraction started on a large stage in front of a semicircle of chairs covered by a tent. Master Sgt. Eddie Walton, 55th Maintenance Operations Squadron first sergeant, stood up and grabbed the microphone, preparing to lead listeners into the next three hours of mirth as the comedy blow-out's master of ceremonies. 

Before he joined the Air Force, Sergeant Walton was a stand-up comedian and is often called on to host various events because of quick-witted quips he develops on stage. 

"Let's gather up a little in these chairs," said Sergeant Walton to the crowd scattered around the bonfire. "I know it's cold! Come on, people. I've got the mic, so I have the control!" 

The group of Offutt's youngest military members clumped together, and Sergeant Walton introduced the first guest. 

"I just have one message to you this afternoon," said Brig. Gen. John N.T. Shanahan, 55th Wing commander, "and this is it: Thank you!" 

"These next guys are gonna need some energy here," Sergeant Walton said as he returned to the stage. "I've only talked to you for two minutes and I'm already tired." 

The crowd cheered, whistled and clapped, and the first comedian bounded onto the stage. 

"There's a whole lot of good looking Air Force ladies out here," said Sam Norton after receiving the microphone from Sergeant Walton. Mr. Norton then looked directly at General Shanahan and said "Sir, I think I'm going to have to hit on some of your troops later." 

Mr. Norton, a Wichita, Kansas, native, said he had grown up in an Air Force community before he moved to Chicago. 

"My grandfather was in the Air Force, and I always looked up to him," he said. "You all deserve my respect too." 

Next in the comedy line-up was Richard Reese, an Omaha native, who often performs at the Funny Bone Comedy Club in Omaha.

"I've been looking at joining the Air Force," said Mr. Reese. "Seeing this kind of party makes me more sure about it." 

Finally, the show headliner, D.T. Owens performed a full hour of his material. 

"Usually, I like to have the audience recognize the troops," said the Birmingham, Ala., native. "But today, you all just get to be quiet while I clap for you."

With that, Mr. Owens began to applaud the men and women sitting in front of him, and was joined in that applause by Mr. Norton and Mr. Reese. 

"I'm so glad that we had a strong turn out," said Senior Airman Nichole Sinnigen, the Elite Four president and a knowledge operations manager with the 338th Combat Training Squadron. "While it was cold, everyone had a great time. I hurt myself laughing." 

"It was great to have this day for ourselves, but now we have to thank everyone who got this day together," said Airman Sinnigen.