Sunshine and Smiles: Family Day 2013

  • Published
  • By SrA. Charles Hutchinson IV
  • 439th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
WESTOVER AIR RESERVE BASE, Mass. --  Mother Nature provided Westover with a gentle breeze and sunshine to make the first-ever Joint Service Family Day a perfect day. Friends and families joined their Westover service members to celebrate family day on Saturday, Sept. 7. CMSgt. David Carbin, head of the chief 's council, led this event and made sure base tenants knew about the event.

"I went around personally and talked to each one of the sergeant majors and made sure we had positive communication all the way, including the military entrance processing station," he said.
 
In previous years, budget challenges have forced Westover organizers to limit the number of people attending Family Day -- but that wasn't the case this year.

"This is the first time we've actually come up with the funding to feed everybody and allow the rest of the people on base to come in," he said. "Usually it's just us (reservists and families) because the way we do the food is through the troop feeding."
 
So the money that went to the regular UTA troop feeding helped to cover the other costs of the food.

"We were going to feed these people anyway," said Chief Carbin.

As far as saving money goes, thanks to CMSgt. Carbin's contacts, the Galaxy Community Council helped serve food, as well as man some of the tents. About 3,200 people came to enjoy the event.

"I judge that because I know how much food we have and how much we've gone through," CMSgt. Carbin said.

From beginning to end, children of service members to retirees, most every face had a smile on it. And with the sunny weather, it was hard not to sense the Westover family united. Ninety-year-old World War II veteran Harvey LaFleur of Chicopee - decked out in his volunteer attire as a food server - was called to the stage at the opening ceremony by Chicopee Mayor Michael Bissonnette. LaFleur was recognized for his service to his country during the war to loud cheers and applause.

Family Day spectacles were everywhere. There was a dunking booth, where the accuracy of adults and children alike submerged the wing commander and command chief, to spirited volleyball duels organized by the Top 3, to families which just spent some time together on the huge ellipse.

Delilah Granada, 3-year-old daughter of TSgt. Sally Granada, was nothing but smiles. When asked if she had fun, Delilah needed only one word to confirm.

"Yes!"