Heroes’ Homecoming scheduled Dec. 5

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Lisa Spilinek
  • 66th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
HANSCOM AFB, Mass. --  Airmen who have recently returned from deployments, along with their families, will take center stage during Hanscom's upcoming Heroes' Homecoming celebration Dec. 5.

Families of Airmen who are currently deployed will also be honored during the free event that is open to the entire base populace.

The event, which will begin at noon in the Aero Club Hangar and offer free food to attendees, will feature appearances by Boston Bruins alumni and members of the New England Patriots Cheerleaders, as well as the Lowell Devils' mascot, Devil Dog.

The main attraction, however, won't be the attending sports celebrities nor radio talk show host, Michael Graham, who will serve as the emcee for the homecoming celebration; the spotlight will be firmly focused on the heroes of Hanscom, said Col. Tom Schluckebier, 66th Air Base Wing commander.

"Everyday the men and women of Hanscom do their best to support our warfighters serving in harm's way, but sometimes we forget that our people here are also warfighters," the colonel said.

One such warfighter is Maj. Tammy Mayer, 66th Security Forces Squadron commander, who said that while she was deployed this past spring and summer she, "worked closely with the U.S. Army as well as the Iraqi Air Force on many issues to help stabilize the country and provide security for all involved."

Another warfighter who will be honored during the Heroes' Homecoming is Maj. Alan Canova, Global Cyberspace Integration Center, who served as the officer in charge of the Kandahar Intelligence Fusion Center in Afghanistan from April to August.

"I am honored to be a part of the Heroes' Homecoming. It is nice to be recognized for my duty," he said. "I am grateful for the sacrifices of my family during my deployment and for the Hanscom team providing a genuine show of appreciation and support."

Both Majors Mayer and Canova will be honored with many other recently returned deployers during the homecoming celebration.

An important part of honoring deployers and their families during the Heroes' Homecoming is acknowledging the necessary sacrifices that were made, Colonel Schluckebier said.

"Our heroes were separated from their loved ones and selflessly did without many of the comforts of home. It's important that we recognize this and take the time to say, 'thank you,' and 'welcome home,'" he said.

The December event will mark the third homecoming celebration held at Hanscom. This time will be marked with a particular holiday twist -- Santa Claus will be on hand to greet the youngest members of the Air Force family. Children also will be able to visit craft stations set up in the hangar to create holiday cards that will be sent to Hanscom personnel who are currently deployed.

"I highly encourage people to bring their families and attend this worthwhile event," Colonel Schluckebier said. "Having a loved one deploy can be difficult for family members - whether they are part of your immediate family or a part of our Air Force family. It's important for us to honor their sacrifices, celebrate their return and take pride in their success in fighting the Global War on Terror."