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Having a Ball! Grissom celebrates past, present

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Cali Wetli
  • 434th ARW Public Affairs
GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. --  The Air Force has a rich heritage and many have served with honor and diligence. Members and guests of the 434th Air Refueling Wing had the opportunity to celebrate that strong heritage and reflect on those serving past and present at the Air Force Ball.

The event was held in Kokomo Sept 23 with more than 600 guests attending.

“The 2017 Air Force Ball was a night to remember,” said Col. Larry Shaw, 434th ARW commander. “It was great to see all of Grissom’s men and women, distinguished guests and civic leaders enjoy a memorable evening celebrating the rich heritage and the 70th birthday of the Air Force.”

The event center was transformed into a night under the lights by volunteers to make the event special.

Maj. Gen. Thomas Sharpy, Air Mobility Command deputy commander, was the guest speaker. Sharpy had previously served as a captain when Shaw was a second lieutenant.

“It’s always a memorable time when I have the opportunity to visit Grissom, Sharpy said.”

Other guests included Maj. Gen. Randall Ogden, 4th Air Force commander and Chief Master Sgt. Timothy White, 4th AF command chief.

“I’ve been to a number of birthday celebrations, but this would absolutely be the best one,” said Ogden. “It was beautifully decorated, the food was wonderful and it was great to come back and see Airmen I served with years ago.”

Attendees observed ceremonial traditions including the national anthem sung by Grissom Airmen, the presentation of colors ceremony and Prisoner Of War/Missing In Action ceremony and a cake cutting ceremony, a military tradition where most senior ranking individual and the lowest ranking individual cut a decorated cake using a ceremonial sword.

During the ball, specially prepared meals were plated and served to guests followed by a night of camaraderie and dancing.

“Events like these remind us that our great Citizen Airmen are making their own history each and every day while remembering the sacrifices of those veterans who served before them," concluded Shaw.

The 434th ARW is the largest KC-135R Stratotanker unit in the Air Force Reserve Command. Men and women from the Hoosier Wing routinely deploy around the world in support of the Air Force mission.

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Public Affairs Staff

Material contained on the Official Grissom Air Reserve Base Internet Web Site is written and produced by members of the 434th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs Office. The award-winning staff includes:

Ben Mota
Chief, public affairs

Maj. Elias Zani
Public affairs officer

Master Sgt. Wendy Day
Staff writer

Tech. Sgt. Alexa Culbert
Staff writer

Senior Airman Elise Faurote
Staff writer

Senior Airman Benjamin Cowles
Staff writer