Freedom Fest brings taste of home to deployed servicemembers

Published July 11, 2009
By Senior Airman Brok McCarthy
379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Despite being more than 6,000 miles from where the United States declared its independence, servicemembers were treated to barbeque, a hotdog-eating contest and a host of other activities in celebration of the Fourth of July here in Southwest Asia.

Approximately 2,000 base members participated in events throughout the day, which were all hosted by the 379th Expeditionary Force Support Squadron.

"Fourth of July was an all-day event; we started at 5 a.m. with fitness events and had various activities available all the way till 10 p.m. with the [U.S. Air Force Central Command] band, Sonora," said Kayla Martinez, the Coalition Compound Community Activity Center manager. "Our goal was to remind people that just because you're here, you can still have the same kind of fun you would have back home."

The most popular set of events was the morning fitness challenge, the Dallas native said. Multiple squadrons participated in events such as dodge ball and a 1.5-mile relay to earn points toward winning the fitness challenge trophy. This year, the trophy, along with an Army and Air Force Exchange gift card, went to VP-10, the Navy P-3 Orion unit here.

Throughout the rest of the day, there were other events for people to participate in, like individual competitions, carnival games, a cookout and a water balloon toss. There was also a cardboard boat regatta, won by the 379th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron and their boat, the "Crash Recovery, EMX Pride of the Regatta."

"The whole day was a good taste of home town festivities," said Senior Airman George Maceachern, 379th Expeditionary Medical Group bioenvironmental flight. "The cardboard boat race was pretty cool; it's always fun to see what people put together."

Part of the reason 379 EFSS was able to help people celebrate Independence day was all the volunteers who helped throughout the day.

"The day was a huge success, and I think that's because the entire base was involved," Mrs. Martinez said. "We had approximately 120 volunteers come out to decorate, run the booths and events, and help tear down."

One of the volunteers, Army Sgt. Roy Green, 7th Expeditionary Air Command and Control Squadron, said he volunteered to help with the festivities because he wanted to give people here something to do that was different from what's regularly available on a daily basis.

"I volunteered because I love helping others and I feel that every bit of help, no matter how little, goes a long way," he said. "The event was a great way to boost morale for the people who are here, away from their families."

Large events, like the Fourth of July celebration, are typical of the activities hosted by the 379 EFSS, Mrs. Martinez said.

"We host big celebrations around the holidays since people can't be home with their families," she said. "For example, New Years Eve, we hosted a celebration at Memorial Plaza. We handed out sparkling apple cider and [the 379th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron] built a ball drop to ring in the new year. We try to bring a little bit of home to the people here as much as we can."

Mrs. Martinez said the main reason for hosting events is to keep morale up for personnel deployed here.

"Especially around the ma-jor holidays, people want to be home with their families, so we try to offer family-style events in our deployed environment," Mrs. Martinez said.

"Our job is to serve the base, and that's exactly what we do."