Two lucky Airmen fly home for the holidays

  • Published
  • By Mark Wyatt
  • 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. --  Two Hanscom Airmen will be spending time this holiday season with their loved ones courtesy of the Hanscom Senior NCO Association (Top 3) and the Hanscom First Sergeants Association for the first annual Fly an Airman Home for the Holidays program.

Airman 1st Class Jenifer Grayson and Airman 1st Class Caitlin Carter were randomly selected recipients of a round trip plane ticket home during a reception at the Minuteman Club on Nov. 18.

The program was open to any junior enlisted member at Hanscom and the Airmen were nominated by a Top 3 member in their organization.

"This program is a way to support our Airmen that are far away from their loved ones during the holiday season," said Master Sgt. Michael Shimkus. "Taking care of our people is a priority. This is one way of being a Wingman to our junior enlisted."

For Airman Carter, a health service management technician with the 66th Medical Squadron, the opportunity to be home this year during the holidays has special meaning.

"For me to be home during the holidays is an opportunity to see my brother who has just come home from a six month deployment to Afghanistan with the Army," she said.

Nominated by Master Sgt. Patty Hassan, her NCOIC, Airman Carter appreciates the opportunity she has been given and thinks it's through examples like this that make the Air Force a great place to work.

"It's hard for me to get home often with my work schedule, but seeing that supervisors care about their Airmen and nominate me for this will go a long way toward me making the Air Force a career," Airman Carter said.

Airman Grayson, a medical technician with the 66th Medical Squadron, was overwhelmed with emotion when her name was called during the reception.

"I haven't taken leave since I arrived here at Hanscom on June 1," she said. "Knowing that I will finally get to see my family, words cannot describe how excited I am."

Airman Grayson will be traveling to Virginia to spend time with her family that she has not seen in six months.

"I will tell you, the look of happiness on their faces when their name was called was priceless, well worth it and truly amazing," said Sergeant Shimkus. "It's all about taking care of our Airmen!"