Sister services celebrate the season

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Carolyn Viss
  • 7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  About 20 Dyess Airmen descended upon the Army Reserve Training Center Dec. 6 to deliver a hot, homemade holiday feast to 50 families of the 490th Civil Affairs Battalion. 

When they found out the Army unit's funding had been cut significantly for this year's holiday party, first sergeants, chiefs, Airman and Family Readiness Center personnel, and other volunteers stepped up and coordinated the meal with just a week's notice. 

"I'm just amazed these guys took the time to do this for us," said Army Col. Frank Earnest, battalion commander. "At the same time, I'm not surprised. We've had a great working relationship with Dyess for years, and I know everyone here would to the same thing back if we had a chance." 

Dyess Airmen cooked five turkeys, three hams, scalloped creamed corn, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, green beans, stuffing, gravy, corn bread, tea and lemonade, and assorted pies - and had as much fun giving the meal as the Soldiers had receiving it. 

"We love doing this kind of stuff," said Chief Master Sgt. Timothy Zalig, 7th Operations Group superintendent and president of the Dyess Chief's Group, who brought his 11-year-old son, Billy, along to help. "It really doesn't matter what branch of service you're in - the great thing about the military is, when there's a need, we step in and help." 

With half of the 212-member unit currently deployed to Iraq, families were able to get together and share a traditional meal while having the camaraderie of people who understand the thoughts and worries that come with having a spouse deployed, Colonel Earnest said. 

"In an active-duty unit, you have a lot of people in a small community who deploy together and the rest of the base sort of knows what to expect and how to support them," said the Soldier of 27 years. "Here, in a Reserve unit, you have just a few people in the community of Abilene who are immediately affected. Being able to come together during the holidays really means a lot." 

Having spent 11 and a half years on active duty himself and 16 years in the Reserves, Colonel Earnest knows what it's like to be away from family during the holidays. He's been separated from his wife, Lena, and two children, for 10 years altogether. 

In addition to food for the body, the Air Force served up food for the "soul" with information from the A&FRC, legal, TriCare, and Family Advocacy. Technical Sgt. Paula Browning coordinated with the Army's family readiness officer to make sure everyone attending knew what resources were available. 

"It's important for us to let the Army know that just because we're an Air Force base, that doesn't mean all our resources are just for Airmen," Sergeant Browning said. "Families of deployed Soldiers can take advantage of the base assets, as well." 

By the end of the lunch hour, Soldiers and Airmen were well fed and there were plenty of leftovers for everyone to take home. 

"It really gives me pride in my sister service to see how much work they've done for this event," Colonel Earnest said. "They've made it clear that they get more out of giving than receiving."