Military family celebration features pie eating contest, medal presentations Published Nov. 16, 2011 By Airman 1st Class Frank John Casciotta 71st Flying Training Wing Public Affairs VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- The Airman & Family Readiness Center is hosting a celebration for the Month of the Military Family from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., Nov. 18, at the Community Chapel Activity Center at Vance Air Force Base. The Month of the Military Family recognizes what families of military members go through when their loved ones are away from home serving their country, said Maggie Laws, the school liaison, and Exceptional Family Member program manager with the A&FRC. This year, Col. Russ Mack, the commander of the 71st Flying Training Wing, will kick off the celebration by presenting home-front-hero medals to the children of service members currently deployed. Due to the tremendous support from Operation Cookie Cutter, each family will receive a care package identical to those recently sent to their deployed family member, plus a letter of thanks from Vance active-duty members. After the ceremony, games, contests and other activates are scheduled to take place. Hopefully children will show up ready to participate in contests for pie and ice cream eating and hula-hoop twirling. Each contest winner will receive a trophy with the pie-eating champ claiming the two-footer, said Laws. Weather permiting, a bouncy castle will be available, as well as face painting and a photo booth. Families can have their pictures taken for free and the photo will be sent to them via email. Children will have an opportunity to select from a variety of donated baked good if their number is called in the cake walk. However each child will walk away with at least a cupcake or similar item for participating. For more information, contact the A&FRC, 213-6330.