Dyess holds 68th annual AF Ball

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Austin Mayfield
  • 7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Dyess held a ball in the two-bay hangar here Oct. 17, 2015, to commemorate the 68th anniversary of the Air Force birthday.

This year's event started as many other years' with the posting of the colors by Dyess Honor Guard, the National Anthem sung by the Voices of Dyess and Col. Michael Bob Starr, 7th Bomb Wing commander, giving his opening remarks.

However, this year's event was particularly special as the 489th Bomb Group also reactivated on the day of the ball. Members of the current 489th BG as well as members of the Bomb Group during its first activation in World War II were in attendance to celebrate as new Dyess partners.

"We are dedicating this year's ball to the 489th Bomb Group. They are both our new partners with the Total Force Integration initiative and the Air Force Reserves," said Starr. "Even more importantly, the original members of the 489th and their families are with us tonight. These guys are true heroes, and we owe them a debt of gratitude for the sacrifices they've made for over 70 years."

The ball is an Air Force-wide, annual tradition where Airmen build morale while reflecting on their history and heritage. It is also a way to celebrate Airmen and their families and thank them for everything they do to contribute to the Air Force mission to fly, fight and win.

"The Air Force ball celebrates the anniversary of the Air Force," Starr said. "I would like to thank the families for all their support to our Airmen. Without the Airmen and their families none of this would be possible."

The formal part of the ball was concluded with the first dance by Col. Starr and his wife, Kim. The rest of the evening was complete with a live band, dancing, socializing, eating and static displays of a B1-B Lancer and C-130J Super Hercules from Dyess and a B-52 Stratofortress from Barksdale Air Force Base.

This year there were 780 guests in attendance, which included Airmen, spouses, community leaders from the Big Country, and members of the Abilene Chamber of Commerce's Military Affairs Committee.

"To me, the Air Force ball is a time of celebration of how we started off and became the world's greatest Air Force and not only serving but also being an American," said Airman 1st Class Candice Marbaker, 7th Logistics Readiness Squadron travel management traffic manager. "For me, there is no greater pleasure than to serve my country."