Dining out a huge success

Published May 22, 2007
By Corey Dahl
21st Space Wing Public Affairs

PETERSON AFB, Colo. -- Peterson's Air Force Enlisted Heritage Dining Out May 11 proved to be a huge success, drawing nearly twice the number of servicemembers expected.

Roughly 450 attendees turned out for the event, which was held at The Club for all members of Team Pete and their spouses. More important to organizers, though, was the fact that more than 150 of the servicemembers who attended were junior enlisted members, many of whom had never been to a dining out before.

"Our goal was to get as many junior enlisted members to attend as we could, because 10 to 15 years down the road, they're going to be our leaders," said Chief Master Sgt. Wayne Barron, who helped organize the event. "We had planned on about 75 but we ended up doubling that."

The Dining Out was held to teach servicemembers on Peterson, especially younger ones, about their heritage. Dining outs have been a military tradition for decades, Chief Barron said, but have become less common over the years.

"We wanted to do something in the wing to remind enlisted people of our heritage, so we thought of a dining out," Chief Barron said. "This is the first one we've had here in a long time."

To make it easier for everyone to attend, Team Pete members held fundraisers such as bake sales and performed security at city events in order to offer discounted tickets to junior enlisted members. Older servicemembers volunteered to sponsor junior enlisted, helping pay for the event's cost and also clueing them in on its traditions and rituals.

The Junior Enlisted Association also provided free child care during the event so members wouldn't have to worry about hiring a babysitter for the evening.

"We just wanted to make it as economically possible as we could, so that everybody who wanted to come could come," Chief Barron said. "It ended up being a great night, and I don't think any of these guys will ever forget it."

Airman 1st Class Nadia Warsame certainly won't. Initially unexcited about the event, Airman Warsame said she ended up having a great time.

"I thought it would be boring; I'd just be sitting in a chair the whole time," she said. "But I loved it. It was more about socializing and getting to know the Air Force community. I would definitely do it again."

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