Anniversary approaching; come early to reserve seats

  • Published
  • By Sheila Rupp
  • Nucleus Staff
KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, New Mexico --  In its final planning stages, the New Mexico Air Force Bases 60th Anniversary Celebration is approaching quickly with just three weeks until the big day. The three New Mexico Air Force bases will come together Sept. 14 to celebrate the rich history of air power.

The day's events will kick off on the beautiful fairways of the Sandia Golf Club, with the 60th Anniversary Golf Tournament, with a shotgun start at 8 a.m. There are still a few spaces left; those interested in playing in the tournament should contact Maj. Son Nguyen, Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center, at 856-9598, or by e-mail at son.nguyen@afotec.af.mil, or Dan Winckel, AFOTEC, at 853-7217.

Indoor and outdoor exhibits representing various Air Force entities will be open to the public noon-5 p.m. at the resort. The exhibits will display what the many Air Force units here and throughout New Mexico do on a day-to-day basis. There will also be several flyovers by different types of aircraft stationed in New Mexico.

In conjunction with the displays, base and community organizations are asked to consider donating trinkets to be given to visitors as keepsakes of their visit to the public displays. Examples of items that have been donated so far include coins, pens, stress balls, mouse pads and history trading cards.

If your organization has items to contribute, contact Ken Moore at ken.moore@kirtland.af.mil.

The planning committee needs approximately 20 easels for the displays. All easels will be returned after the event. If your organization has easels that can be loaned from Sept. 13 to Sept. 17, contact Ted Harrison at 846-5556 or at Edward.Harrison@kirtland.af.mil.

Culminating the day of celebration, the three bases will take part in an anniversary ball at the Sandia Resort. More than 1,000 active-duty military members, retirees, dependents and community and civic leaders will attend the by-invitation-only event. Dress for the evening is mess dress/semi-formal attire.

If you have received a ticket to the dinner but are unable to attend, do not pass your ticket on to someone else. Tickets are by-name only and because there are so many people on the waiting list, if you are not able to attend notify your commander immediately so the ticket may be reassigned.

Because of the amount of people invited to the dinner, Col. Mohsen Parhizkar, 377th Air Base Wing vice commander and 60th anniversary celebration planning committee chairman, encourages attendees to arrive early in order to choose their seats, though seats can only be reserved for those already present. Groups that would like to sit together are encouraged to arrive together or have a meeting place to check in at the same time.

The Gibson Child Development Center and the Youth Center will have extended hours to coincide with the dinner Sept. 14. Both facilities will be open from 5:30 p.m.-midnight. The cost is $25 for each child. The cost for children 1 year old and older includes a light meal and a late snack. Parents of infants 6 weeks to 1 year old need to bring ready-mixed formula or baby food, and diapers for their children to child care.

Reservations are required no later than Sept. 7 by 5:30 p.m. and can be made by calling the Gibson CDC at 846-1103 or the Youth Center at 853-5437. Parents of children not enrolled at the Kirtland CDCs are required to fill out Air Force Form 1181 and provide a copy of shot records.