Combat dining-in Published May 3, 2007 GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind -- In keeping with a tradition passed down from ancient times, Grissom will be holding a "Combat Dining-In," during the July Unit Training Activity. Grissom's dining in will be from 6 to 10 p.m., July 7, at Dock 6. Guest speaker will be Maj. Gen. Mark Pillar, from the Pentagon. Uniform will be BDUs, DCUs or flight suits. Food will be provided, however a troop feeding will be held from 4:30-5:30 p.m.. for personnel not planning to attend. Planning for the Grissom dining-in is in its final stages, but there are still opportunities for organizations, people and teams to participate and take the lead in selected events. Members can contact unit first sergeants for details and tickets. The history of the dining in ceremony is believed to date from the time of the Roman Legions, when military commanders frequently held banquets to honor individuals and units. These were victory celebrations to commemorate past feats with a parade of the treasure from their conquests. The custom is believed to have been adopted in the British Isles, with King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table holding similar celebrations. Over time, the dining in became a custom of the British military and with the settling of America, was carried over to the American military. Today the dining in is a tradition still observed not only by the militaries of Britain, the U.S. but also all the British Commonwealth nations.
