Dorm residents treated at free picnic

Airmen participate in a game of bocce ball at the Third Annual Dorm Residents Appreciation Picnic outside the Riptide Dining Facility at Hurlburt Field, Fla., May 24, 2012. Bocce ball is one of several activities that Airmen could participate in for various prizes at the picnic. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Benjamin D. Kim)(Released)

Dorm residents treated at free picnic

Mike Anderson, mayor of the City of Fort Walton Beach, participates in a game of bean bag toss at the Third Annual Dorm Residents Appreciation Picnic outside the Riptide Dining Facility at Hurlburt Field, Fla., May 24, 2012. The event also featured bocce ball and various prizes for Airmen. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Benjamin D. Kim)(Released)

Dorm residents treated at free picnic

Airmen are served food by volunteers at the Third Annual Dorm Residents Appreciation Picnic held outside the Riptide Dining Facility at Hurlburt Field, Fla., May 24, 2012. The event offered barbecue, drinks and desserts for dorm residents. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Benjamin D. Kim)(Released)

Dorm residents treated at free picnic

Published May 30, 2012
By Airman 1st Class Benjamin Kim
1st Special Operations Wing Public Affairs

HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. -- Dozens of Airmen ate barbecue, played games and won prizes at the Third Annual Dorm Residents Appreciation Picnic outside the Riptide Dining Facility here May 24.

The Fort Walton Beach Military Affairs Committee sponsored the complementary event for Airmen to kick off the Memorial Day Weekend.

The MAC also aimed the event for Airmen living in the dorms who may feel the pangs of being separated from home and family, said Lynn Dominque, chair of the event for the MAC.

"Almost 100 percent of the time, the leadership says, 'take care of the Airmen'," said Dominque, "And we're here today because the community loves you guys."

Civilian volunteers like Paul Singleton, a 78-year-old retired Air Force veteran, served food and drinks and managed the various games and prizes.

"When I was in the service and came back after Vietnam, we were not appreciated at all," said Singleton, who served in the Air Force for 28 years. "Now, we wanted to let the people know that we really appreciate their service for our country."

Airmen said they were greatly appreciative of the free festivities held for them.

"I think it's really nice," said Airman Damina Townes, a food services specialist of 1st Special Operations Force Support Squadron. "It'd be cool if they did this more often."