Commander’s Corner: Summer Bash brings together Team Kirtland for family fun

  • Published
  • By Col. Mohsen Parhizkar
  • 377th Air Base Wing Vice Commander
We had an absolutely terrific Summer Bash here Friday (July 20)!

The 377th Services Squadron's Summer Bash committee, led by Outdoor Recreation's Joni VanMeir, did a superb job planning and executing the bash. It turned out to be a perfect summer family event.

Several thousand people came out and literally filled Hardin Field, something that doesn't happen very often.

We had great musical entertainment and tons of game and food booth -- the vehicles in the car show were beautiful -- but everything wasn't just "fun." We learned how to safely fasten our children in our cars, how to maintain our cars and how to take care of our bikes. We saw exciting demonstrations by our security forces' military working dogs in action and had an exciting family fun area filled with bouncy castles and games.

There were athletic competitions and for the stressed out, massages. The military display area with police vehicles, child fingerprinting station, World War II vehicles and military aircraft was a big hit.

Our thanks go to our explosive ordnance disposal and security forces for their hard work and all of the squadrons who sold food. Special thanks go to the 58th Special Operations Wing who let us showcase their CV-22 and helicopters. Great job!

The services folks provided something for everyone and I, just like most people who attended, can't wait for next year.

Kudos to Joni, all of the services squadron folks and all of the participants -- your hard work really paid off to make a great day for everyone on base.