Grissom to host annual award banquet Published Jan. 7, 2019 By Tech. Sgt. Jami Lancette 434th ARW Public Affairs GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. -- Each year time is set aside to honor Grissom Airmen who exemplify the Air Force’s core values to the fullest extent through their actions and commitment to duty. Grissom nominees, Airmen, friends and family will gather once again in the dining facility here April 6, to honor those Airmen during the 2018 annual award banquet. “The wing commander wants an event that’s focused on everyone coming together, enjoying each other’s company and celebrating the wing winning the rain cross award and the nominees winning their awards,” said Capt. Keisha Dobney-Boykin, 434th Mission Support Group executive officer. Boykin points out that there are some differences in this year’s ceremony to encourage unit morale. “One of the biggest changes this year is that there will be no keynote speaker,” said Boykin. “Also people can bring noise makers or wear costumes to support their folks within their squadron.” The cost to attend the event for E1-E4 is $20 and everyone else is $25. Tickets may be purchased from any of the following point of contacts. Capt. Erica Morgan, 434th Air Refueling Wing Ms. Magi Hurdis, 434th Mission Support Group Chief Master Sgt. Tony Hoffman, 434th Maintenance Group Tech. Sgt. Troy Woods, 434th Operations Group Staff Sgt. Lindsay Flanery, 434th Aerospace Medicine Squadron Master Sgt. Timothy Holmgren, 434th Security Forces Squadron Capt. Martin Valadez, 434th Force Support Squadron Senior Master Sgt. Kevin Connelly, 49th Aerial Port Squadron Chief Master Sgt. Kevin Cassidy, 434th Maintenance Squadron Chief Master Sgt. Chad Weisend, 434th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Mr. Tim Obrien, 434th Logistics Readiness Squadron Mr. Dave Kirk, 434th Air Refueling Wing recruiting Cocktail hour will begin at 5:30 p.m and dinner will start at 6:30 p.m. “I really hope to see a lot of people at the banquet,” said Col. Larry Shaw, 434th ARW commander. “We’ve listened to people, trimmed down the excess and made it easier for people to attend and support each other.” Leadership and award nominees will be required to wear their dress blues. Authorized uniform of the day for everyone else in attendance. “We cut out the guest speaker, made it uniform of the day for non-nominees and reduced the meal prices,” he said. “We’ve taken away the barriers that people identified, so I really hope people will come out and celebrate the best we have in this wing.” The 434th ARW is the largest KC-135R Stratotanker unit in the Air Force Reserve Command. The Citizen Airmen from the Hoosier Wing routinely deploy around the world in support of the Air Force mission. Stay connected with the 434th ARW on Facebook and Twitter.