Airmen support Mardi Gras parade

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Andrew Moua
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  Several Airmen from Barksdale Air Force Base volunteered at the Krewe of Gemini parade Feb. 18, in downtown Shreveport.

The volunteers walked alongside the floats to help protect the crowd from getting too close to the procession and injuring themselves.

"I volunteered because it's better than sitting at home," said Airman 1st Class Willester House, 608th Air Communication Squadron. "This is my first Mardi Gras Celebration and it seemed like a good volunteer opportunity."

Airmen attending the parade each had their own reasons for volunteering. They wanted to help the community, have fun and improve their performance reports.

Col. Robert Gass, 8th Air Force, Vice Commander, also participated in the parade acting as this year's Grand Marshal and joining him was his wife Patty, and Master Sgt. Christopher and Christi Fiske.

"It was an honor to participate in the parade as part of the Mardi Gras tradition here," Gass said. "It's especially significant because this year marks the 70th Anniversary of the 8th AF."

Despite the forecast of 50 percent chance of rain, the parade was scheduled to proceed.

"The parades continue rain or shine, unless of course there is a lightning warning," said Charlotte Hikes, the Airman and Family Readiness Center volunteer coordinator.

The parade started in downtown Shreveport and down Clyde Fant Memorial Parkway and Shreveport-Barksdale Highway, before ending just north of Preston Avenue.

Each year the A&FRC asks for Airmen to walk in several parades to help keep the crowd away from the floats and prevent children from running into the path of the parade.

Airmen who want to volunteer or have questions about next year's opportunities should contact the A&FRC at 456-8400.