Hanscom to host Heroes’ Homecoming, Summer Bash on June 26

  • Published
  • By Rhonda Siciliano
  • 66th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. --  Hanscom will host its next Heroes' Homecoming celebration on June 26 to honor all of its personnel who have returned from deployments over the past six months as well as their family members. The event is being held in conjunction with the base's annual Summer Bash celebration.

The Heroes' Homecoming event will begin at 2:30 p.m. at Memorial Park located behind the Hanscom Clinic.

Local radio talk show host Michael Graham will once again serve as the Master of Ceremonies for the homecoming event which will include participation from the New England Patriots Cheerleaders, an appearance by former Boston Celtics player Dana Barros, and community participation from other outside organizations.

"This is a great opportunity for us to officially welcome home our Airmen who have been deployed over the past six months and to say thank you to their families for their sacrifices," said Col. Dave Orr, 66th Air Base Wing commander. "It doesn't matter if you had a deployer within your workplace during this period, we are Team Hanscom and we should be out in 100 percent force to say thanks. I hope everyone will mark this date on their calendars, to help us welcome home our heroes' and top it off with an afternoon and evening of fun and entertainment at our annual Summer Bash celebration. We have an incredible line-up of events."

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.

"We have a great line up for everyone at this year's Summer Bash," said Russell Jackson, 66th Services Squadron, program manager. "It's an event you won't want to miss."

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.