Military Appreciation Weekend goes out with a bang

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Rachel Kocin
  • 49th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  The uniformed services were recently appreciated by the local towns of Ruidoso, Ruidoso Downs and Lincoln County in a two day event April 11-12.

The event included demonstrations from each group at Holloman, including a dog handler demonstration, survivor search and rescue operation, Steel Talons Drill Team performance and The New Mexico Space Museum shot rockets off for the kids. Other activities included rock climbing and a G- force chair.

There was also an F-117A two ship fly over bidding farewell to the local community, this being its last public fly over in its 33 year history.

The idea for the event started with Ms. Millie Woods, president of the MAW committee.

"I became friends with Col. Michael McGee, 49th fighter wing vice commander, and we talked about a fly over, over my house," said Ms. Woods. "It seemed like too good of an idea for just one person or one neighborhood so it expanded to a much larger community event, and has grown into a farewell tribute to the F-117A stealth."

Ms. Woods said the event was also to help foster good relations with the base and surrounding communities.

"This event was to familiarize the military personnel with what we have here in the mountains and to educate the people here, the residents of Lincoln County and visitors, to what the military does," she said, "It's to help have a better understanding of one another."

Military members were happy to have a chance to strengthen local ties.

"This is a good time to start relations like this because we have the F-22A coming on board in a few months and part of the requirements of the F-22A is to fly supersonic," said Master Sgt. Parkinson, MAW military liaison. "There's going to be a lot of booms up here in Ruidoso so we want to prepare people and make connections in a positive light."

In addition to building relations the event also kicked off a new program to further benefit members of the armed forces.

"I wanted to put it together because I have a soft spot in my heart for the armed forces, I knew that the stealth was about to be retired and I wanted to incorporate all of this with a military discount appreciation program that we put together here in Ruidoso," said Ms. Woods.

The program offers military members discounts from local lodgers, restaurant owners, retail stores and entertainment.

"I think this event benefits the community by providing them an opportunity to see what our Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors and Marines are doing on an every day basis to accomplish the mission for the nation," said Col. Jeff Harrigian, 49th fighter wing commander.

"We've always had Veterans Day and Memorial Day but this is military appreciation weekend and year. I have never seen that in 34 years of military service and I think that is magnificent," said Lt. Col. Gary Garvey, 49th fighter wing chaplain.