Fall Fest 2011 -- through the eyes of a Team Vance Airman

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Frank John Casciotta
  • 71st Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  The whole base had a pleasant air about it during the Fall Fest activities at Vance Air Force Base, Okla., Oct. 6.

I volunteered to help this year by serving food provided by the Falcon's Nest Bowling Center. Before my shift began, I wanted to see what Vance's Youth Program had put together to celebrate the fall.

I made my way over toward the Youth Center, where all the events were taking place. The air was full of the distinctive scent of cooked meats and fried goods, the upbeat sound of pop music and pleasant weather.

The people arriving with family and friends after finishing the Commander's 5K run, reminded me of something out of a movie. They were in good spirits and looking forward to the long weekend. Fall Fest was like icing on the cake.

The folks at the Youth Center put a lot of effort into providing games and activities for the little ones. Activities like the rubber duck races, where children were given a small battery powered fan to push rubber ducks from one end of a gutter filled with water to the other. Each child received a stuffed animal as a prize.

Other activities included sack races, pumpkin painting and a lasso toss around a plastic goat's head.

The Vance Fire Department made an appearance showcasing their fire-fighting trucks and engines while posing for pictures.

Inside the Youth Center, businesses from the local community were giving out knickknacks as they introduced themselves to Team Vance members and discussed the services they provided.

They didn't seem like they were trying to sell anything or pressure folks into coming to see them. It was more like they were extending their hand to new people saying, "Hi. Nice to meet you. This is what we do. Look us up if you need anything."

I was making my way out of Youth Center with my bag of goodies when I stopped to chat with Staff Sgt. Holly Walker with the 71st Medical Operations Squadron. She was operating the Dental Clinic booth.

"We are here to inform people about the importance of dental hygiene and give basic instructions on tooth care," she said.

After talking with her, I walked away, thinking, "Most people have at least some fundamental idea of how to keep your teeth clean." But as I looked back over my shoulder, I saw Walker talking with several children and their parents. I then realized she was helping mentor the families of Team Vance.

Outside three Airmen were making small talk when they broke out in a line dance accompanying a song the disc jockey was playing and were joined by other people, including Chaplain (Capt.) Ruth Segres, a new member of Team Vance.

Restaurants from the local community also made an appearance to show their support of Team Vance. They distributed free samples of their specialties.

As my volunteer shift drew closer, I headed off to the food tables where a few volunteers and had set up to serve Fall Fest attendees. People definitely came hungry. Good thing too since we had plenty of hot dogs, hamburgers and chili to go around.

While I was serving up an order of three cheese burgers, the national anthem played.
All of the hustle and bustle stopped immediately. The only sound you could hear was the anthem playing. The attendees and volunteers stopped and paid the respect due the song.

On the last note, everything picked up where it left off as if nothing happened. I handed over the plate of three burgers with a side of chili.

According to Ken Broder, manager of the bowling center, by the end of the day we served between 475 and 500 plates of food.

When it came time to pack up, people still sitting at the tables came back for seconds. Good thing since we had some leftovers.

Though my shift was over I couldn't bring myself to leave the clean-up to just three people so I pitched in by helping load the truck with equipment, and bringing tables back inside the Youth Center.

Once things really started to die down and the food was put away, people who had finished eating helped clean up. It was moving to see people coming together like that. None of us had an obligation to help, but it was like seeing friends struggling with a task. We had to lend a helping hand to our Vance family members.

Fall Fest was a time for celebrating a great year, and enjoying the company of our friends, family and fellow Wingmen. It is always a pleasure to see what a true "extended" family is all about.