Colorado governor visits families during Deployed Families Dinner

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Kimberley T. Young
  • 21st Space Wing Public Affairs
PETERSON AFB, Colo. --  Steak and shrimp weren't the only treat at the Jan. 4 Deployed Families Dinner here, a personal visit from Colorado's governor was on the menu as well.

Gov. Bill Ritter, Jr. briefly spoke to more than 200 family members taking part in this month's dinner before joining servers on the buffet line. During his speech, he stated he was very impressed with the deployed members he met while traveling overseas during a Department of Defense-sponsored trip.

"The troops I met had great morale and demonstrated selfless service," he said.

The governor is also impressed with family members back home.

"For those family members of people who are deployed, you are engaged in a very important public service that is part of our war on terror and we owe you an enormous debt of gratitude, so thank you," the governor said to an applauding crowd.

"All we can do as a community and as a state to support the families is important," said Governor Ritter. "This was an amazing experience and I'm honored to be part of it."

Also in attendance at the dinner were Gen. and Mrs. C. Robert Kehler, Maj. Gen. and Mrs. Thomas Deppe and Maj. Gen. and Mrs. Paul Sullivan.

The monthly dinner, sponsored by the Combined Peterson/Schriever AFB First Sergeant's Association, Defense Commissary Agency and AAFES, is an opportunity to get families together, share experiences and recognize the true meaning of Air Force "family."

Each dinner has great turn out and the family members partaking in the experience expressed great appreciation.

"Peterson AFB and the Air Force cares. His unit was great. They checked on us a lot," said Olivia Martin. Her husband, Master Sgt. William Martin, 21st Space Communications Squadron, just returned from his first deployment and she was very grateful for the support she was given during his absence.

That assistance was very important to Sergeant Martin because he felt confident his family was being taken care of in his absence.

"I was able to concentrate on the mission. Regardless of who I called, they were always there to help out whenever needed," he said.

The next Deployed Families Dinner is Feb. 1. For information, call Master Sgt. Philip York at 556-7995.

 

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