Deployers, families recognized during heroes' homecoming

  • Published
  • By Mark Wyatt
  • 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. --  More than 80 military and civilian personnel who returned home from deployment in the past year, along with their families, were recognized here by the workforce, senior leadership and local and state community leaders, July 23.

Dubbed Hanscom Heroes Homecoming, the once-a-year event included a formal recognition ceremony at the base conference center and a parade through the installation, followed by food, static displays and other family activities at the chapel gazebo.

Col. Michael A. Vogel, the installation commander, thanked deployers for their service and sacrifice during remarks at a ceremony where he presented medallions to each deployer.

"You've worked long hours in austere hostile environments where an enemy not only opposes a country, but opposes the very ideals that this nation was founded on," Vogel said. "Thank you for what you and your families sacrificed during your deployment."

On hand to read a letter from Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker was Secretary of Veterans Services for Mass. Francisco A. Urena.

"The nation and commonwealth are forever in your debt for your service, and sacrifice of your family, and today we say thank you and welcome home," the secretary read on behalf of the governor.

Also on hand was Ken Christopher, veterans and military liaison for U.S. Rep. Niki Tsongas, who presented a certificate to base officials on behalf of Tsongas.

Among the Airmen on hand being recognized was Capt. Chase Wilke, a contract officer assigned to the Battle Management Directorate's Aerospace Management Systems Branch. Wilke returned from deployment last October after serving as a contingency contract officer in Afghanistan.

"This event shows to those who have deployed that our service and sacrifice is appreciated," he said. "Having the community here supporting us with a heroes' homecoming demonstrates that."

Also as part of the ceremony, the deployers were individually recognized by Air Force Life Cycle Management Center-Hanscom Program Executive Officers Maj. Gen. Craig S. Olson and Steven Wert as well as Hanscom Command Chief Craig. A. Poling.

Senior Airman Crystal Cardin, a finance technician assigned to the 66th Comptroller Squadron, who deployed earlier this year to Osan Air Base, Korea, to participate in a readiness exercise, said it's why she joined the Air Force after high school.

"It was my first opportunity to deploy overseas," said Cardin, who is nearing her third year in the Air Force. "This is why I joined the Air Force, to make a difference and to serve my country."

The events culminated with base personnel lining Hanscom's roads waving flags and cheering deployers and their families who were riding in vintage military vehicles and a Boston Duck Boat.

Vogel highlighted that each deployer, by nature of being part of an all-volunteer force, volunteered to serve in harm's way. He said the service and commitment by those wearing the uniform today, or in the past, should be commended and that Hanscom Heroes Homecoming is part of that recognition.