Enid salutes Vance enlisted

Published Feb. 27, 2007
By Bob Farrell
71st Flying Training Wing Community Relations Chief

VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- All Vance AFB enlisted members will be entertained by the Enid community during the Annual Enlisted Appreciation Night, beginning at 5:30 p.m. March 24 at the Vance Club.
The event is sponsored by members of the Enid Chamber of Commerce and local businesses, according to Richard Johndrow, co-chairman of the chamber's Enlisted Appreciation Night Committee.
"This is a great way to show our appreciation to the enlisted force at Vance AFB for the sacrifices they make to keep all of us free," Johndrow said. "They are the glue that holds the military together."
Enlisted members attending will receive a ticket upon entering the Vance Club which will be used to win prizes. Free pizza, hot wings and beverages will be available for starting at 5:30 p.m. Blackjack begins at 7 p.m. with the top three winners being recognized. Table dealers will consist of chamber members as well as other volunteers from the Vance and Enid communities. Cash and prize drawings will begin at 8 p.m. and continue throughout the remainder of the evening.
Johndrow said he is pleased with the response and community support for the event. "Again this year, we will give away a lot of prizes, including electronics, freezers full of meat, and hundreds of dollars in cash. In fact, the top prize will be $1,000 cash, donated by the Enid Chapter of the Air Force Association." Typically, the community donates over $15,000 in cash and prizes for the event.
Attendance to the event is absolutely free to all Vance AFB enlisted members, who will also be able to bring their spouse or significant other with them.
According to George Pankonin, co-chairman for the event, "The event this year is setting up to be one of the finest ever. I hope all of the Vance enlisted force will attend." For enlisted personnel deployed, the Vance command chief will receive a ticket for each person and will be responsible for claiming prizes won by these individuals.
Children will not be allowed into the club under any circumstances for this closed event. Enlisted members or volunteers who bring a child, regardless of age, will not be allowed to enter and participate. The Child Development Center will offer child care for the event on a space-available basis, however space is limited.