Gravity serves up new stripes, fresh food

  • Published
  • By Lee Ross
  • Nucleus editor
KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  Thanks to Supper and Stripes, Airmen with fresh stripes can drop the sewing needle and let a few volunteers help out.

The event, which is held at Gravity on the third Thursday of each month, is meant to help recently promoted Airmen update their uniform patches while serving the
Airmen a meal and keeping them entertained, according to Chaplain Thomas Peck.

Each month has a different theme, he said, and the Airmen's Ministry Council and other volunteers decorate and create entertainment that goes along with that theme.

In April, the event had a golf theme, and volunteers spent three weeks creating a 9-hole indoor putting course out of little more than colored patches of felt.

Senior Airman Lorenzo Bocanegra, president of the Airman's Ministry Council, said  the intent is for people to come in for new stripes, but come back once they see what Gravity has to offer.

"We're trying to build Gravity up as a place to come and hang out," he said. "We want to provide a familiar, positive space."

Alcohol isn't allowed, but there is food, video games, board games, pool, ping-pong and much more for Airmen to do, Peck said.

"Some young Airmen feel like there's not much for them to do," he said.

Events like Supper and Stripes will bring people in and help show off what Gravity has to offer, he said.

Staff Sgt. Mary Fawcett, who works at the 377th Dental Squadron, was recently. She came to the April 19 event early with a load of long-sleeved uniforms.

"I got orders to go to Alaska," she said.

A group of half a dozen women come to Gravity each month with their sewing machines and needles to do the work. According to Sharon Chastain, who said she has stitched on countless patches since she started volunteering in 2006, it's a very rewarding way to give back.

"I just love to sew," she said. "And I love the fellowship of the other ladies and I love to help out the Airmen."

Gravity is on the southwest corner of Frost Avenue and 1st Street, just north of Airman's Attic. The next Supper and Stripes event will be on May 21 starting at 5 p.m. The theme will be Cinco de Mayo. Regular hours for Gravity are 6 to 8 p.m. Thursdays and 6 to 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.