Fun, festivities planned for June 26

  • Published
  • By Rhonda Siciliano
  • 66th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
HANSCOM AIR FORCE, Mass. --  With just one week to go Hanscom, is gearing up for a double header celebration on June 26, when the base will host its Heroes' Homecoming celebration immediately followed by the annual Summer Bash festivities.

The Heroes' Homecoming event will begin at 2:30 p.m. at Memorial Park located behind the Hanscom Medical Clinic. In the event of inclement weather the ceremony will be moved inside to the Aero Club hangar. The event has been designated by Lt. Gen. Ted Bowlds, Electronic Systems Center commander, as an Alternate Duty Location for all Hanscom members to participate. Attendees to both events are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets to enjoy the outside venue.

Due to the events, parents who have children enrolled at the Child Development Center should note that the CDC will close at 2 p.m. and the access road leading to the CDC as well as the parking areas surrounding the CDC will be closed to vehicles at 2:15 p.m.

"The Heroes Homecoming is our opportunity to say thanks for our deployers service and recognize the sacrifice from both our deployers and their families." said Col. Dave Orr, 66th Air Base Wing commander. "I'm looking forward to seeing the entire ESC team join together in recognizing our role in today's fight, celebrating our Hanscom community through summer bash, and recognizing our nation's freedom in the closing fireworks display."

The Homecoming event will honor more than 50 Airmen who have been deployed over the past six months, and their families. The pep rally style ceremony will include participation from the New England Patriots Cheerleaders, as well as special appearances by former Boston Celtics point guard and one of Boston College's all time leading scorers, Dana Barros; as well as former New England Patriots place kicker John Smith who played with the team from 1974 to 1983.

Massachusetts Lieutenant Governor Tim Murray is also scheduled to participate in the homecoming celebration.

During the event, five community organizations will be honored with the first ever Hanscom Community Heroes' recognition that honors individuals and organizations from the local community for their contributions to deployed military personnel and their families. Recipients of the Hanscom Community Heroes' awards will be Bill Haas from Concord, Mass.; Jean Mallon, USO New England; and three local troop care package organizations: Helping Our Troops, Operation American Soldier, and Operation Troop Support.

"Bring your families, bring your friends and join us in celebrating the safe return of our Airmen," Colonel Orr said. "Please stay for a big night of fun, food and great entertainment at Summer Bash. It's truly a 'Can't Miss' spectacle and Hanscom's premiere event of the year."

Summer Bash, sponsored by the 66th Services Squadron, will begin immediately following the Heroes' Homecoming event.

Summer Bash entertainment will kick off at 4 p.m. with a performance by 10-year old identical twin singing stars Ariel & Zoey. The girls have been performing around the country along with their little brother Eli who acts as Master of Ceremonies for the girls' performances. Ariel and Zoey have dedicated much of their music and performances to the children of deployed military personnel.

Other Summer Bash entertainment will include a performance by The Mighty Swann E. River Band, featuring a 'groovin' classic rhythm and blues and rock style of music. The band is composed of former Air Force Band of Liberty and Tops in Blue alumni drummer Stanley E. Swann, III; Laura Noel, also a Band of Liberty and Tops in Blue alumni; Dave Mitchell, a former member of the Band of Liberty performs on guitar and vocals. To round out the band is Steve Baker on keys and Tony Vaughn on bass - both top players in the Boston area.

This year's Summer Bash event will also include free carnival rides as well as a number of games. Children can enjoy the "Tubs of Fun," kiddie race cars, kiddie ferris wheel, "Sky Fighter Jets," "Aztec Ride," a merry-go-round, 55-foot extreme obstacle course and inflatable boxing ring, plus they can scale a rock-climbing wall and have 360 degrees of topsy-turvy fun on a Gyro-Orbitron. Games will include a dunk tank, batting arena, football game trailer, "Quarter Drop" and "Fish Pong." Additionally a number of vendors will be on hand offering deals on toys, gifts, books, glow sticks, cosmetics and more.

Attendees can choose from a variety of food options, including grilled burgers, hot dogs, ribs, chicken, pulled pork, brisket, egg rolls and fried rice, nachos, root-beer floats, fried dough, kettle corn, cotton candy, ice cream and much more.

The event will conclude with a performance by the Band of Liberty's rock group Afterburner at 8 p.m. followed by a fireworks display at 9 p.m.

For additional information about the Heroes' Homecoming event or to sign up as a volunteer contact Rhonda Siciliano in the 66th Air Base Wing Public Affairs Office at (781) 377-4467. Any Hanscom personnel who have been deployed over the past six months and have not received an invitation are asked to call (781) 377-4467.

For additional information about Summer Bash contact Russell Jackson at (781) 377-3902 or go online to www.hanscomservices.com.