AFMC recognizes Hanscom Heroes Homecoming with Public Affairs award

  • Published
  • By Kevin Gilmartin
  • 66th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
HANSCOM AFB, Mass. --  Air Force Materiel Command has recognized one of Hanscom's signature events of the past year - the Hanscom Heroes Homecoming - with the Maj. H. H. "Hap" Arnold Award for Public Affairs communications effectiveness.

The award, one of several recognizing individual and organizational excellence in public affairs across the command, was announced last week. Named for General Arnold, who as a major, was chief of the Information Division in the Office of the Chief of Air Corps and later went on to attain the rank of a five-star general, the award recognizes those public affairs offices which have created or managed a planned single event, which was unique in nature or presented a challenge to public affairs.

The Hanscom Heroes Homecomings, conceived to celebrate the return of Hanscom's deployed Airmen, brought together local community and base organizations in pep-rally style events that caught the attention of virtually all of Boston's media outlets.

"Hanscom is a little different than some bases, because, even though we deploy more than 100 military members every year, our folks often go in small groups, or even alone, which means they return to little fanfare," said Col. Tom Schluckebier, 66th Air Base wing commander.

"We were looking for a way to show our appreciation for the sacrifices made by our deployers and those of their families, so Public Affairs, working with Services, the Air Force Band of Liberty and many other volunteers, developed the first Heroes Homecoming in January 2007. We held three events last year, and each one has grown bigger and better as more local community organizations come forward to show their support for Hanscom's military members and their families."

The events begin with a grand entrance of the recent returnees and their families into a packed Aero Club Hangar, as thousands of base residents and workers cheer them on and wave small American flags handed out by members of local Daughters of the American Revolution chapters. Cheerleaders from Burlington, Mass. lead the cheers as they enter, and then perform for the crowd. Free food is provided to all who attend, served up by members of the Services Squadron as well as local Rotary Club volunteers.

Each honoree is called to the stage to receive a medallion and shake the hands of base senior leaders from the Electronic Systems Center Command Section and all five wings. Entertainment is provided by the Band of Liberty.

"It's great to see AFMC recognize this event for its public affairs excellence, because it reflects a lot of hard work on the part of the PA office to bring the community together, and to tell the Hanscom and Air Force story through the news media," Colonel Schluckebier said. "But I think all of us at Hanscom can be proud of this award, because it reflects the genuine, heartfelt appreciation we all feel for those who deploy and their families, and the hard work of a number of people to make these homecoming events a success. While this award is certainly appreciated, it's certainly not needed to motivate everyone involved - this is the kind of thing that happens because it's the right thing to do for our great Airmen."

The next Heroes Homecoming is planned to coincide with the base's Summer Bash on June 27.