Parade, heroes homecoming set for July 23

Published June 26, 2013
By Mark Wyatt
66th Air Force Base Public Affairs

HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. -- More than 70 Airmen who have returned home from deployment since January, along with their family members, will be honored during this summer's Heroes Homecoming at 1:30 p.m. on July 23 at Memorial Park located behind the Medical Clinic.

The event begins with a parade beginning from the Hanscom Conference Center to the ceremony location. The parade will include the honorees, their families, recipients and others riding in vehicles.

Hanscom personnel will be invited to line the parade route and honor these heroes by waving American flags, cheering them on as it proceeds to the ceremony location.

"Once a year we take an afternoon and say 'thank you' to brave men and women who have served their nation admirably," said Col. Lester A. Weilacher, 66th Air Base Group commander. "It's important families understand how much we appreciate their sacrifices, too."

Jonathan Elias, WBZ-TV anchor and former 66th Air Base Group honorary commander, will serve as the master of ceremonies.

The ceremony honors the sacrifices made by military members who have returned from a deployment within the past 12 months and their families.

After the recognition ceremony, free hot dogs and hamburgers, a disc jockey, a children's "fun zone" and more will be available.

Anyone who has returned home from deployment since January and would like to participate in Heroes Homecoming should contact Bobby Jacques at 781-225-1333.