By Tim Strickler, Military Leadership Academy Director Freedom Alliance
2010-11-18 Ellsworth AFB TAD Summary
51 Airmen from Ellsworth Air Force Base, home of the 28th Bomber Wing, attended a Troop Appreciation Dinner hosted by Freedom Alliance at
Minerva’s Restaurant in Rapid City, South Dakota.
The Airmen consisted of enlisted personnel who serve in a variety of jobs at Ellsworth including: security forces, aircraft maintenance, accounting, intelligence, and more. Prior to 1995, Ellsworth was the home for the B-52 strategic bombers and land-based ICBMs during the Cold War, and now houses the B-1 Lancer supersonic bombers and its support groups.
The 28th Bomber Wing Chief of Public Affairs, Major Matthew Reese, coordinated efforts to host Airmen for the event and offered the dinner to many of the young enlisted personnel, saying, “they are the future of the Air Force and they need to hear this message.” The message brought by Freedom Alliance was an extension of the sentiments of the American people – thank you, thank you, thank you for what you do. Airman Herbert said, “To come and meet different airmen from different jobs, hear their stories and what they go through, was a nice experience.” Technical Sergeant Kurt, who works in Explosive Ordinance Disposal, expressed his enjoyment about dining with like-minded individuals, “I like to talk with folks that enjoy what we do.”
The dinner was sponsored by Freedom Alliance supporters Gary and April Wenzel. Mrs. Wenzel attended the dinner with four guests including radio talk show host Shad Olson.
Freedom Alliance was represented by Nathan Martin and Pepper Ailor.
Pictures can be found at SmugMug: http://freedomalliance.smugmug.com/Troop-Appreciation-Dinners/ellsworth-afb-tad/14719567_Nj9wk#1096693191_UA2LZ
Editors Note: I would like to thank Gary and April Wenzel and BigHorn Canyon LLC for their generosity in making this wonderful evening possible.
