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Military personnel flight takes top honors in door decorating contest

  • Published
  • By SSgt. Courtney Dotson-Essett
  • 434th ARW Public Affairs

The holidays are in full swing with the countdown to Christmas underway.

Members of the 434th Air Refueling Wing were in the holiday spirit, celebrating the weekend with squadron holiday parties and a festive meal at the dining facility.

Members and civilian personnel had a chance to let their creativity and Christmas spirit shine during an office door decorating contest that wrapped up a weekend of holiday festivities.

Twenty offices participated, with entries ranging from a gingerbread house in military pay to the famous lamp shade leg from the movie “A Christmas Story” in the wing inspection office.

 “We enjoyed doing it,” said Dan Deangulo, 434th Air Refueling Wing exercise program manager. “I think I was the first one to put mine up.”

The contest was designed to be a way for offices to work together, while having a little friendly competition between units.

Tech. Sgt. Ashley Stant, 434th military personnel support manager, decorated her office door based on the board game Operation.

“It took about half a day to finish but I wanted the reservists to come in and see it done,” said Stant. “I wanted them to see that we took the time to decorate and participate.”

Members from Grissom’s Key Spouse program and their children judged the entries based on craftsmanship, visual impact and creativity.

First place in the contest went to Master Sgt. Catherine Devine, 434th military personnel superintendent, for her misfit toy decoration.

Second place went to Delores Bridgeswalker in civilian personnel for her reindeer door decoration. 

 Maj. Joseph Ahlers, 434th staff judge advocate, took third place for his take on Dr. Suess’ Grinch.

“The judges were delighted with the creativity, craftsmanship, and overall visual impact for each door that was submitted for judging,” said Stacey Pennington, Airmen and Family Readiness program director.

The Grissom family has plenty of talented military and civilian personnel that makes the holiday season merry and bright,” she added.

The 434th ARW is the largest KC-135R unit in the AFRC. Airmen and aircraft from the 434th ARW routinely deploy around the world in support of the Air Force mission and U.S. strategic objectives.

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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:

Douglas Hays
Chief, public affairs

Maj. Elias Zani
Public affairs officer

Josh Weaver
Public affairs operations chief

Master Sgt. Josh Weaver
NCOIC of public affairs

Master Sgt. Rachel Barton
Staff writer

Tech. Sgt. Alexa Culbert
Staff writer

Senior Airman Alexis Morris
Staff writer

Airman 1st Class Elise Faurote
Staff writer