Hanscom prepares for annual heroes homecoming celebration

  • Published
  • By Jessica Casserly
  • 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. --  Hanscom personnel are invited to help welcome home more than 60 service members who have returned from deployment in the past year during the Hanscom Heroes Homecoming celebration July 21.

The homecoming events will include a recognition ceremony for the honorees, their families and invited guests at the Hanscom Conference Center. The formal ceremony will be followed by a parade, which is scheduled to begin at noon at the conference center and end at the base chapel. All Hanscom personnel are invited to watch the parade.

The annual event is organized by Bobby Jacques, Hanscom Executive Services chief, to honor returning service members. 

"We hold this event to recognize our returning Airmen and let them know that we appreciate the sacrifices they made while deployed," Jacques said. "It's also an opportunity to say thank you to the families of our honorees. The ceremony and parade are a way for the Hanscom community to show we care."

Tech. Sgt. Julia Souza, one of this year's honorees and the 66th Air Base Group executive assistant to the Command Chief, is amazed by how appreciative base and local community members are of the military and civilian members who have deployed in the past year.

"I know that the community feels passionate about the military, and where we may see it as just doing our job, others see us as the defenders of freedom and want to ensure that we know we are appreciated," she said. "For that I am truly grateful and honored."

The homecoming events are significant both personally and professionally for Master Sgt. Jessica Labrie, an honoree and a Hanscom first sergeant.

"Being part of this homecoming celebration and being recognized by Hanscom leadership, the base and local communities is a wonderful surprise that means so much to me," Labrie said. "As a new first sergeant, I also greatly appreciate what this event does for my Airmen returning home by showing them and their families just how much they are valued for their service and what they accomplished downrange during their time away."

Hanscom personnel are encouraged to line the parade route to honor the Airmen and their families by cheering them on as the parade proceeds to the chapel.

In addition to the honorees and their families, Jacques is expecting more than 40 groups to participate in this year's parade, many bringing impressive equipment along, including vintage military vehicles and the famous amphibious Boston Duck boats. Jacques is also hoping to have Clydesdales take part in the parade.

The celebration will continue after the parade with food, static displays and other activities at the grandstand area behind the base chapel, Jacques said.

The 66th Force Support Squadron is partnering with Jacques to host "spirit booths" selling food and offering giveaways as part of the event.

"The booths will include giveaway items, food sold from private organizations and entertainment," said Sherita Baker, 66 FSS Marketing supervisor and Commercial Sponsorship coordinator.

Participants will be able to purchase hot dogs, hamburgers, veggie pizza and beverages at the event, Baker said.

While they appreciate the fun and fanfare the homecoming events provide, having a special day to recognize the sacrifices made by their families is the true highlight of the event for many of the honorees.

"I personally signed up for the event only to help provide recognition for my wife," said Maj. Michael Holtz, Special Programs Division Cyber Security Branch deputy chief, who returned from his third deployment in April 2016. "Deployed members get all the care packages, handshakes coming off the plane, pats on the back at work and medals for their actions. Spouses, however, see none of this, yet bear the most burden from deployment."

For additional information about Heroes Homecoming, contact Jacques at 781-225-1333.