JBER hosts Military Appreciation Day picnic, games

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Matthew Chism
  • JBER Public Affairs
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska --  On June 10, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson's 22nd Annual Arctic Warrior Olympics began with opening remarks from the Commander of the 673d Mission Support Group Col. Edward Thomas, the lighting of the ceremonial torch, and a lofty yet simple challenge from the Command Chief Master Sergeant of the 3rd Wing, Chief Master Sgt. Steven Bohannon.

The challenge: to dethrone the perennial champions.

Last year's 2010 Arctic Warrior Olympics saw the 517th Airlift Squadron win for the seventh time in ten years.

Challenge given, they were off to the races. Thomas and Bohannon led the crowd to the starting line of the 5K race.

For military members and their families, alike the day's activities were a chance to get out and enjoy some time away from work with their units.

"(It's) an opportunity to have some fun and break loose from the daily demands that we've got as military members," said Air Force 1st Lt. Matthew Rogero.

He added that he was honored to have a chance to be a part of the team that organized this, because of its intent to give back to the Soldiers and Airmen.

Rogero, a section commander and mission support flight commander in the 381st Intelligence Squadron, was the lead for the planning of the Arctic Warrior Olympics.
With nearly 20 different events spanning much of the base, there was a great deal of planning and coordination that had to be done for the day to be a success.

The toughest part of setting up the Arctic Warrior Olympics was bringing everybody together and organizing the event's structure, said Rogero. Capt. Shawn Partington, Senior Master Sgt. Craig Martin, Master Sgt. Angela Wheeler, and Master Sgt. Charles Knight were essential in making the entire day go smoothly.

The organization of the event was vital with picnics at both Buckner Field and Palmer Park. Along with that, there were events from six in the morning until three in the afternoon that included: archery, softball, volleyball, inline hockey, a fire truck pull, bowling and Texas Hold'em, as well as many others.

After participating in the Olympics In-Line Hockey tournament, Warrant Officer Wilson Billard of the 381st Intelligence Squadron said that he was glad to have this chance to come out and be active with his squadron.

Even with all of the day's events one thing was the center of attention; The Anchorage Chamber of Commerce Picnic.

The picnic was open to all JBER personnel and families.

There were burgers, cotton candy, a bounce house, face painting, and other events free of charge.

The sponsor of the picnic, the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce, has supported this event for the last sixteen years.

Sami Glascott, president of the Anchorage Chamber, has been at the helm for nearly two and half years and said she was happy about the way that this year's picnic played out.
Ms. Glascott said they sponsor the picnic because the businesses want to "show their appreciation" for the military.

"This year has been great, we were able to raise the funds that we needed to easily support (the picnic)," said Ms. Glascott.

A bowl-a-thon, hosted on base in February, raised money to make the event possible.
Because nearly 8,000 people attended the picnic last year, the Anchorage chamber needed to reach out to the business community for manpower and support.

More than 150 volunteers from local businesses worked this year's event. Volunteers helped with setup, serving, and disassembly.

Food left over after the event was donated to Beans Café, a nonprofit company which has served Alaska's homeless and hungry for more than 31 years.