Fun, festivities planned for June 27

  • Published
  • By Rhonda Siciliano
  • 66th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
HANSCOM AFB, Mass. --  With just two weeks to go Hanscom is gearing up for a double header celebration on June 27 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 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 at both events are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets as seating is limited at the outside venue.

The Homecoming event will honor more than 60 Airmen who have been deployed over the past six months and their families. The pep rally style ceremony will include appearances by one of the most lethal scorers 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.

"Bring your families, bring your friends and join us in celebrating the safe return of our Airmen," said Col. Tom Schluckebier, 66th Air Base Wing commander. "Afterwards everyone can enjoy an evening of fun, food and great entertainment at Summer Bash. It's an event you won't want to miss."

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

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 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.