Honor Hanscom's heroes next Thursday

  • Published
  • By Sarah Olaciregui
  • 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. --  Nearly 60 Hanscom personnel, along with their families, will be honored during Heroes Homecoming Jan. 12 and the entire Hanscom community is invited to officially welcome them back.

Twice a year the base holds the celebration to honor the sacrifices made by military members who have returned from a deployment within the past six months and their families.

"Deployed military members and their families endure unique challenges," said Col. Stacy L. Yike, 66th Air Base Group commander. "While uniformed members understand deployment as part of the military responsibility, that doesn't make missing a 50th wedding anniversary or a child's first steps any easier. As a base, we want to take the opportunity to say thank you by providing a special Hanscom memory to these families who have had to miss so many special moments of their own these last six months."

The entire Hanscom community has pitched in to sponsor a celebration like nothing the base has ever seen. Weather permitting, the celebration begins with a parade (click here to view the route) that will start at the Minuteman Commons at approximately 11 a.m. It will feature a special appearance of the famous Budweiser Clydesdale team and the honorees and family members will board Boston "duck boats" en route to the Aero Club Hangar.

The duck boats will travel from the commons, to the Brown Building, pass by the Airman and Family Readiness Center and turn left onto Barksdale Street. From there, the caravan will make its way to the F-86 static display at the corner of Barksdale and Marrett streets, turn left and drive past the chapel to the Electronic Systems Center headquarters building. The parade then turns right down Eglin Street, passes the Hanscom Federal Credit Union, on to base operations and finally lands at the Aero Club Hangar.

Hanscom personnel will be invited to line the street and honor these heroes by waving American flags, cheering them on and following the parade as it proceeds to the hangar. Then, the heroes will arrive at the ceremony location at approximately noon to be recognized by base senior leaders for their hard work and sacrifice. Family members will also be recognized.

Boston sports figures will be on hand to personally thank the deployers, and Jonathan Elias, 66th Air Base Group honorary commander and WBZ-TV anchor, will serve as master of ceremonies.

After the ceremony the special guests will remain for autographs. The Boston Red Sox will bring their 2004 and 2007 World Series trophies to take photos with. The Boston Celtics will bring their 2008 NBA championship trophy, as well. The 66th Force Support Squadron will provide pizza and beverages for all attendees.

Lt. Gen. CR Davis, Electronic Systems Center commander, has declared the Aero Club Hangar as an alternate duty location for Hanscom personnel from noon to 3 p.m. to allow all of Team Hanscom to come say thank you to the deployers and make this an event to remember.

Because of limited parking around the Aero Club Hangar, attendees are encouraged to either walk or park in the Hanscom Exchange and Commissary parking lot.

Any military or civilian personnel who have returned from deployment since June 2011 and have not received an invitation are asked to contact Bobby Jacques at 781-225-1333 or email bobby.jacques@hanscom.af.mil.