Join Military Family Appreciation Day to Honor Local Service Members and Their Families
The Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce that Military Family Appreciation Day is scheduled to take place on Saturday, April 15th from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at The Landing in downtown Fort Walton Beach – 139 SE Brooks Street.
Military Family Appreciation Day is a community event that aims to honor the brave service and sacrifices made by military families and veterans in our area. The event will feature live entertainment on the Eglin Federal Credit Union Stage, a free children’s play area and veteran service organizations, including the USO, Healing Paws for Warriors, Food For Vets, and Homes for Heroes. In addition, attendees will enjoy complimentary on-site lunch from Sonny’s BBQ sponsored by Step One Automotive Group and Forever Warriors.
There is still time for businesses in the community to become involved in this event. Opportunities include Presenting Sponsor, Kids Play Zone Sponsor, Participating Vendor Spots, premier giveaway sponsors, and volunteers to serve lunch.
“We are thrilled to host Military Family Appreciation Day and honor our local military families and veterans,” said Ted Corcoran, President/CEO of the Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce. “This event is a great way for the community to show its support and appreciation for the sacrifices made by our service members and their families.”
For more information about Military Family Appreciation Day or to become a sponsor or volunteer, please contact the Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce at (850) 244-8191 or www.fwbchamber.org.
Eglin Air Force Base Celebrates Black History Month
By Kevin Gaddie
Eglin Air Force Base celebrated Black History Month with this year’s theme “Black Resiliency.” Retired Chief Master Sgt. Jonathan Holmes, founder of the African American Heritage Military Society, shared what resiliency means to him during the kick-off ceremony. Holmes, an Army and Air Force veteran, lost a kidney while serving as an explosive ordnance disposal technician. After persevering through 12 years of dialysis and receiving a new kidney, he continued serving the military by founding the society. “There were a lot of people in my life, who blessed me with their strength and helped me become resilient,” he said. “I established the society for them. I feel it serves as a symbol to the African American men and women who served in uniform. It is a symbol of their resiliency.”
In his opening remarks, Brig. Gen. Jeff Geraghty, 96th Test Wing commander, spoke about African American engineering aviation battalions, who made significant contributions in the base’s expansion during World War II. “It was these newly formed battalions, while training for war, that transformed Eglin’s landscape,” he said.
The battalion personnel dealt with sweltering heat while cutting through dense forests to construct new roads, buildings and bridges, to pave the way for Eglin’s future. Their primary mission was airfield construction and repair. The airfields proved pivotal for Allied aircraft bombers as they returned riddled with bullets, and often broken as they landed. Their contributions and sacrifices played a vital role in shaping our nation’s history and securing its freedom.
Geraghty asked the attendees to not only celebrate the month’s events, but to form a united front in looking to the future with hope and determination. “Together, we must continue to strive for a culture of diversity, inclusion, and equity within our Air Force,” he said. “We must recognize our differences are our strengths and together we are an unstoppable force.”
Air Force Armament Museum 50th Anniversary Homecoming!
The Air Force Armament Museum invites you to the 50th Anniversary Homecoming of our Okaloosa Vietnam POWs, Thursday, March 9, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Air Force Armament Museum, 100 Museum Drive, outside the West Gate of Eglin Air Force Base. Eglin Federal Credit Union and Forever Warriors presents this complimentary reception to honor Brig. Gen. George “Bud” Day, USAF, Ret, Col. Keith Hall, USAF, Ret., Col. Howard Hill, USAF, Ret., Col. Ed Hubbard, USAF, Ret., Col. Rob Webb, USAF, Ret., Lt. Col. Dave Gray, USAF, Ret. All are welcome. The program starts at 6:15 p.m. with Hors d’oeuvres sponsored by Magnolia Grill. Beer and Wine will be available as well as the opportunity to bid in the silent auction. All proceeds benefit the Air Force Armament Museum Foundation.
