Heroes’ Homecoming, Summer Bash events to take place June 27

  • Published
  • By Rhonda Siciliano
  • 66th Air Base Wing
HANSCOM AFB, Mass. --  Get ready to clap and cheer. The heroes of Hanscom will officially be welcomed home on June 27 during a double header celebration that will include the base's annual Summer Bash festivities.

To kick things off, the Heroes' Homecoming ceremony will pay tribute to Hanscom's Airmen who have been deployed over the past six months and their families.

The Heroes' Homecoming event will begin at 2:30 p.m. at Memorial Park located behind the Hanscom Clinic. In the event of inclement weather the ceremony will be moved inside to the Aero Club hangar. Both venues have been designated by Lt. Gen. Ted Bowlds, Electronic Systems Center commander, as Alternate Duty Locations. Attendees to both events are encouraged to bring their lawn chairs or blankets as seating is limited at the outside venue.

Updated information on the event and any changes in location due to weather will be published in the Hansconian, on the Hanscom public Web site at www.hanscom.af.mil, and on the 66th Services Squadron Web site at www.hanscomservices.com/summerbash.

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 an appearance by one of the most lethal scorer's in Major League Soccer, the New England Revolution's Taylor Twellman; an appearance by Blades, the official mascot of the Boston Bruins and local radio personality and author Michael Graham from 96.9 WTKK. The event will also include a performance by the East Elite Cheer Squad from Tewksbury, Mass.

"I hope everyone will join us in celebrating the safe return of our deployed heroes'. It's important that we take the time to say thank you for the sacrifices that our Airmen and their families make during a deployment and these events offer the perfect opportunity to do that," said Col. Tom Schluckebier, 66th Air Base Wing commander.

Summer Bash sponsored by the 66th Services Squadron will begin at 4 p.m. immediately following the Heroes' Homecoming event.

"This Summer Bash is going to rock. With professional entertainment, an exciting new line up of free amusement rides for the children and an enhanced menu of food items to choose from -- it's an event not to be missed," Colonel Schluckebier said.

Summer Bash entertainment will kick off with a performance by Ernie and the Automatics, a blues band featuring two former members of the band Boston, Barry Goudreau and Sib Hashian, and Ernie Boch, Jr., CEO and president of Boch Enterprises.

Lansdowne, a Boston based rock, alternative pop band that recently traveled throughout Southwest Asia with Armed Forces Entertainment performing for deployed U.S. military in Kyrgyzstan, Afghanistan and Kuwait, will also perform during the Summer Bash celebration.

On tap during the afternoon are a variety of free rides and adventures for the kids that include kiddie race cars and a ferris wheel; a 55-foot extreme obstacle course; rock climbing wall; inflatable boxing ring; a chance to experience 360 degrees of topsy-turvy fun on a Gyro-Orbitron; the ever popular "Dunk Tank" and more.

Jenny the Juggler will be on hand to entertain children of all ages with her juggling, magic and balloon animals. Kenpo karate demonstrations will be performed by students of Callahan's Karate Studio of Bedford, Mass.

There will be plenty of hot dogs, sausages and burgers for sale so take a break from the kitchen and eat out. Also available will be Lester's BBQ ribs and chicken; pulled pork and chopped BBQ beef brisket; sandwiches, kettle corn, cotton candy and fried dough. There will be plenty of water and soda available plus adult beverages for those over 21 years of age.

The event will conclude with a fireworks display and performance by the Band of Liberty concert band with featured performing artists the American Belles. The American Belles present an entertaining, high energy show featuring American standards and patriotic favorites, all sung in three part harmony.

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/summerbash.