Westover's Christmas in July brings bucks for October ball

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Andre Bowser
  • 439th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
WESTOVER AIR RESERVE BASE, Mass. --  Spirited Reservists, family members and friends gathered around Westover's softball fields July 12, on an early summer evening for an even earlier Christmas celebration -- six months early to be exact.

And part of the goal was to raise money for Westover's 75th Anniversary Ball in October.

The event, called Christmas in July, was in its second year and started after the UTA duty hours with a softball tournament, seasonal music, barbecue, a dunk tank, and pie-in-the-face contest, among other things.

Service members enjoyed their usual UTA dinner at the Westover Club after the event, and after burning off the calories from the hot dogs and burgers provided near the crowded softball fields. But some members "enjoyed" a different, "sweeter fare" -- especially if the term "enjoyed" actually means "tolerated," and if "sweeter fare" means pie they "wore more than tasted."

The Company Grade Officer Council's Pie-in-the-Face contest raised more than $600 for the October ball to help pay for associated costs. The 439th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron raised the most money, pulling in $180. The honoree for the first bittersweet taste was TSgt. Christopher Eldridge.

Among the CGOs, 2nd Lt. Steven Marchegiani raised $144 and enjoyed cream and chocolate pie. CMSgt. Gary Hebert won the honors with $96 and MSgt. Daniel Howard raised $82 among the first sergeants. The remainder of funds came from other nominees who skipped dessert.

During the event, Brig. Gen. Steven Vautrain, 439th AW commander, and Command Chief Master Sgt. David Carbin escaped the sweltering July heat by taking dips in the dunk tank -- over and over again -- and all for a very good cause:

To see you at the ball!