66 ABW award nominees enjoy sightseeing

  • Published
  • By Meredith March
  • 66th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
HANSCOM AFB, Mass. --  To celebrate their excellence and achievements in 2007, each of the 30 66th Air Base Wing annual award nominees and a guest were invited to enjoy three days of fun, activities and camaraderie.

The festivities began on the morning of Feb. 5 with a trip to the Old North Bridge, where the "shot heard 'round the world" was fired, in Concord, Mass. A park ranger recounted for the group the historic events of April 18 and 19, 1775, and the beginning of the American Revolution.

The nominees and their guests then traveled to the Bunker Hill Monument in Charlestown, Mass., where a park ranger told them about the historic site where one of the most significant Revolutionary War battles took place.

The USS Constitution, the oldest commissioned warship afloat, was the next destination. The Hanscom group took a guided tour aboard the two hundred-year-old ship, which earned the nickname 'Old Ironsides' during the War of 1812.

The historical sites were a hit with the nominees. "I really enjoyed getting the historical background for Bunker Hill and the USS Constitution," said Patricia House, 66th Medical Support Squadron, Medical Contract Support specialist. "The park ranger and crew member who guided us were really knowledgeable and helped us appreciate their significance more."

"My favorite thing about the activities is the education we got. We learned so much from being there," said Angelita Anthony, 66th Medical Operations Squadron, Drug Testing Program administrative manager. "Being on the soil where our forefathers were made me appreciate them more. The park rangers put a lot into the presentations and really made learning fun for us."

The tours made a similar impression on Capt. Aaron Blake, 66th Mission Support Squadron, Manpower and Organization Flight commander, who also valued the opportunity to learn more about the nation's early history.

"One insight I gained was that the Founding Fathers really were committing treasonous acts while the greatest military in the world was garrisoned around them, yet they were willing to take that risk in order to protect their freedoms. They risked everything they had, and we owe them a huge debt of gratitude and respect for that alone," he said.

The day's final adventures consisted of lunch and a tour of the Sam Adams Brewery.

The following day began with a trip to the John F. Kennedy Library and Museum, a favorite for Captain Blake.

"Of all the activities, the Kennedy Library was the most memorable and inspiring for me," he said. "President Kennedy had such a profound impact in the advancement of human rights, the space program, physical education and international diplomacy."

After visiting the library, the participants had lunch in Boston's North End and finished the day by taking in a Boston Celtics game.

On the last day of their adventures, the nominees returned to Boston to be recognized by Commissioner of Veterans Affairs Thomas Kelley, a Medal of Honor recipient, during a proclamation presentation. The group then toured the State House, visited The Sports Museum at TD Banknorth Garden and attended a performance of "Chicago" at the Lowell Memorial Auditorium.

Many nominees expressed appreciation for the opportunity to socialize with their fellow nominees outside the work environment.

"I really enjoyed the tour of the Kennedy Library in Boston. My family was able to join me on this tour and we got to spend time with the other nominees and get to know a few new people that we consider friends," said Senior Master Sgt. Kenneth Theriault, 66th Comptroller Squadron superintendent. "It was a great chance to get to know the other nominees and leadership as well. While we may know some of the other nominees from our duties around the base, I was able to get to know them a little better,"

Ms. House also valued the time spent with personnel she had not previously had the opportunity to meet. "I've really liked getting to know everyone else -- we don't ever really meet people who work in different areas or see each other, and I've enjoyed the camaraderie with the other personnel," she said.

Enjoying time together with their colleagues and guests while being recognized for a job well done is exactly what leadership hoped to accomplish for the nominees, said 66 ABW Vice Commander Col. Jeff Mayo.

"It's important to recognize these people for their hard work and great efforts over the last year," he said. "It's also nice to give them a chance to connect with each other, have fun together and get to know one another outside of the work environment.

"This is also a great opportunity for leadership to spend time with the award nominees -- to be able to single them out and do something special for them, and really hold them up as examples for all that they do and accomplish," the colonel said.

Col. Tom Schluckebier, 66 ABW commander, also praised the award nominees. "We really appreciate the incredible amount of effort these nominees have put in to supporting the mission and achieving excellence in all they do. They are great examples of the extraordinary Airmen we have here in the 66 ABW, and we are very happy to have the chance to spend time with them and to recognize and thank them for their diligent service," he said.