Team Pete attends dining out in warrior style

Published July 21, 2009
By 1st Lt. Jonathan Simmons
21st Space Wing Public Affairs

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- About 500 Airmen and their guests from around Team Pete attended the "Operation Warrior Ethos" Dining Out July 17 at the Peterson Club.

The event, sponsored by the Rocky Mountain Company Grade Officer Council, was a unique fusion of formal trappings and combat-themed elements. The dining out was the culminating event for the Air Force Space Command Year of Leadership, which focused on warrior ethos in the month of July.

Every aspect of the dining out from the art and décor was designed to reemphasize to Airmen that "Warrior culture is OUR culture."

The Club Ballroom was combined with the dining room and reception area to make room for the standing-room-only crowd, which included Airmen from E-2 to O-10, Soldiers, and Canadian servicemembers. The night's activities included a presentation by the High Frontier Honor Guard, numerous toasts, a period of good-natured ribbing and a series of visits to the grog bowl.

Tech. Sgt. Israel Del Toro Jr.; and Staff Sgt. Rory Sturm Jr.; both decorated combat veterans, were honored during the evening's events.

"All Airmen are called to be warriors in the profession of arms, but these honored guests truly exemplify the warrior ethos for which we each must strive," said Col. Jay Raymond, 21st Space Wing commander.

Gen. C. Robert Kehler, AFSPC commander, gave the keynote address, emphasizing the centrality of warrior ethos to military leadership.

The dining out was organized over a six-week period by a 14-person CGO committee and a select group of senor noncommissioned officer advisors all led by 1st Lt. Mark Manglicmot, 21st Communications Squadron. The day of the event, the Club staff and about 50 volunteers from the CGOC and 21st Mission Support Group worked together to set up all remaining aspects of the dining out.

"A lot of planning and manpower went into making the dining out happen in under 60 days," said Lieutenant Manglicmot. "Thank you to all the volunteers who helped put the event together. The CGOC couldn't have done it without your support."

The Airmen's Council provided 10 designated drivers for the event, helping to get everyone home safely.

"Thanks to the Airmen's Council for their critical support," said Colonel Raymond. "Their support and the good wingmanship of all who attended the dining out gave us an enjoyable evening that ended without a single D.U.I."