Welcome home: deployed families reunite over dinner Published April 1, 2008 By Margie Arnold 21st Services Squadron PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- Supporting the real world mission and deploying servicemembers overseas in support of the Global War on Terrorism, the 21st Space Wing honors its returning deployed members and their families by hosting a welcome home dinner at the Peterson Club. The event is for all returning deployed members of Peterson's tenants and deployed members of the 302nd Airlift Wing. "The welcome home dinner for the deployed is one more way for Services to support the world mission and to fulfill our mission at home at the same time. It has been an extremely satisfying event for us and much appreciated by the deployed members," said Maj. Mike Marvich, 21st Services Squadron commander. At the wing's last welcome home dinner, Capt. Jason Thompson and Maj. Mark Wood, 21st Space Communication Squadron members, reunited with Capt. Jason Holder, assigned to a detachment here whose home unit is in Los Angeles. The trio became friends during their months away from home, often talking about their experiences and their families. When all three showed up at the welcome home dinner, it was a chance to talk about what happened since they've been home and exchange stories with their families. "I went for the free dinner and didn't expect much more than that," Captain Holder said, "but I was impressed that it was such a nice event. Colonel [Jay] Raymond, Colonel [Manuel] Hidalgo and other commanders took time before the dinner to privately address us and express their appreciation. That meant a lot. And it turned out to be somewhat of a reunion of the folks I had deployed with." Captain Holder appreciated the support of the sponsors, too, who contributed financial support for the dinner and a door prize. For his daughter, Alyssa, winning the door prize, an iPod Shuffle, made her day. The next Welcome Home Dinner for deployed members is scheduled for June 20 at the club. For information, call the club at 556-4181. A deployed family members 'Dinner in the Park' will be held July 11 on the base parade field on the north side of the RP Lee Youth Center. For information about the deployed family members dinners, call Master Sgt. Philip York at 556-7955. A free movie is held at the base auditorium the first Friday of every month immediately following the deployed family members dinner. For movie information, visit www.21svs.com and click on What's Hot Now or call the Movie Hotline at 556-8383.