Celebrate Barksdale

Military members and their families were invited to join in on some fun Oct. 16 during Celebrate Barksdale. The main event, a base-wide picnic, took place on the lawn of Chapel One where food and drinks were served by Military Affairs Council members. There were many booths set up including a children’s play area, a face painting booth and balloon animals were made by a clown for children. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Alexandra Longfellow)

Celebrate Barksdale

Serana Williams, 8, daughter of Tech. Sgt. Patrick Williams, 8th Air Force, gets has her face painted by Neecee Blackwell, an off-base vendor, during Celebrate Barksdale Oct. 16. Events included a 5K run, burger burn, contests for children and military members as well as a golf tournament and picnic. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Alexandra Longfellow) (RELEASED)

MAC hosts 13th annual Celebrate Barksdale

Published Oct. 22, 2009
By Staff and Wire Reports

BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- The Shreveport-Bossier Military Affairs Council hosted the 13th Annual Celebrate Barksdale event for base personnel and their families Oct. 16.

A 5K run kicked off the day at 7 a.m., followed by a base-wide picnic held from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on the Chapel One grounds.

A team of more than 70 civilian and retired military volunteers served hamburgers and hot dogs to more than 3,000 base personnel, while others coordinated children's activities including music provided by a DJ, face painting, inflatable toys, horseshoes and volleyball.

"The Shreveport-Bossier Military Affairs Council hosts Celebrate Barksdale picnic each year in order to provide a fun and relaxing afternoon to Barksdale personnel and their families," said David Dethloff, event chairman. "This year's event provided an opportunity for our civilian leaders to personally serve these men and women in an effort to pay tribute for their daily service to our country"

For the more than 600 Barksdale members deployed throughout the world, this event is just one way for the military affairs council to share its appreciation of the military's service and sacrifice to our nation. The event is also a way for new base personnel and young Airmen to socialize with community members and spend time with co-workers in a more relaxed atmosphere.
"For me, Celebrate Barksdale has been an opportunity to relax from my work day and have a nice lunch with my friends and co-workers," said Master Sgt. Anita Lyons, 2d Medical Operations Squadron Clinical Medicine Flight chief. "This morning I had people lined outside the immunizations clinic for flu shots, so this has definitely been a nice break."

Celebrate Barksdale was started in 1996 by the Mission Committee Chair, Hoyt Bain, of the MAC, in an effort to bridge the Shreveport-Bossier City communities with Barksdale. The MAC, a civilian organization, supports the men and women of Barksdale throughout the-year with events including Celebrate Barksdale, the Defenders of Liberty Air Show and Open House, and a fundraising auction at the 8th Air Force Museum. The MAC Board of Directors is comprised of civilians including retired military members.

Staff Sgt. Sarah Stegman, 2d Bomb Wing Public Affairs, and Cindy Smith, Kalmbach Smith Meadows, contributed to this report.