Heroes’ Homecoming, Summer Bash June 26

  • Published
  • By Rhonda Siciliano
  • 66th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. --  The Hanscom community is encouraged to come out and take part in the June 26, Summer Bash and Heroes Homecoming festivities at Memorial Park, located behind the Hanscom Clinic.

The event, which has been designated by Lt. Gen. Ted Bowlds, Electronic Systems Center commander, as an Alternate Duty Location, is scheduled to kick off with the Heroes' Homecoming ceremony at 2:30 p.m. and will honor more than 60 Airmen who have been deployed over the past six months and their families.

Attendees to both Heroes' Homecoming and Summer Bash are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets as seating for both venues will be limited.

Parents who have children enrolled at the Child Development Center should note that the Center 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 at 2:15 p.m.

Local radio talk show host Michael Graham from 96.9 WTKK, will once again serve as the Master of Ceremonies for the homecoming event which 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.

The 66th Services Squadron has been busy putting together a full line up of events and activities for this year's Summer Bash celebration which will begin immediately following the homecoming ceremony.

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.