GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. -- Despite the cold weather and time away from home, reservists from the 434th Air Refueling Wing took a moment to appreciate their military families and celebrate the holidays with festivities throughout the December unit training assembly.
Kicking off those festivities in classic Grissom style, volunteers from Key Spouse, USO, 434th ARW Development Training Flight, Rising 6 and Disabled American Vets transformed dock 1 into a winter wonderland for a children’s Christmas party.
“We had plenty of great volunteers this year,” said Rachel Grasmick, 434th ARW key spouse. “The kids really enjoyed writing letters to Santa and all the other activities we had for them.”
“The party was a great addition to the UTA weekend,” added Debra Wilson-Strong, 434th Logistics Readiness Squadron training manager. “Having my kids and husband here really made the weekend special.”
During the UTA, personnel from the wing generously donated gifts for 42 Grissom families with the Angel Tree program. The program is an annual event that raises food and items for Grissom families who are in need during the holiday season.
“This year’s Angel Tree program was really successful,” said Stacey Pennington, 434th Airman and Family Readiness, family program manager. “We had a great show of support from the base and all families including 94 children were sponsored.”
Grissom leadership also showed their support serving more than 438 holiday meals during the UTA.
“We ask so much from our service members throughout the year,” said Chief Master Sergeant Wesley Marion, 434th ARW command chief. “Serving them is our opportunity to give back and show them we are here and we appreciate everything they do.”
The 434th ARW is the largest KC-135R Stratotanker unit in the Air Force Reserve Command. The Reserve Citizen Airmen from the Hoosier Wing routinely deploy around the world in support of the Air Force mission.
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