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Airmen celebrate the holidays

  • Published
  • By Capt. Vince King Jr.
  • 455th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan --  Members of the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing came together to deliver "a bit of home" to more than 400 Airmen deployed this holiday season.

Only the beginning of the holiday season, the group gathering was to help build the spirits and morale of Airmen at Bagram Airfield.

Knowing that spending the holidays away from ones' family and friends is difficult, Capt. Sue McMullen, 455th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron and event coordinator, led the charge to lift the spirits of the deployed Airmen.

"Tis the season for parties and being deployed to (Afghanistan) is no different," she said. "The Airmen at Bagram work hard and should take the opportunity for some down time to relax and celebrate the season with their fellow Airmen and friends."

The Airmen worked over a month and half to plan the event in order to make it a success. They planned to have an 18-hour party that would start in the morning and go until after midnight. 'Festivus', the theme for the party, was established to allow all Airmen in the wing, no matter their shift, the opportunity to partake in the holiday festivities.

However, unbeknownst to them, old man Scrooge soared through and brought a snow storm to several parts of Afghanistan which lasted for three days. The storm prevented movements of not only troops on the ground, but shipments of food which the Airmen were hoping to get from the dining facilities to serve during the holiday party.

According to Captain McMullen, a huge disappointment came over the committee when they received the news about the food. "But as Airmen, we must adapt and overcome," she said.

With only two weeks left before the party, Captain McMullen and her committee began their own amazing race -- to search around Bagram Airfield for various donations of food and giveaways for the troops who were looking forward to the festivities.

Coming to the rescue and aid were the deployed Airmen and their families. Because members were deployed during the holidays, it was expected that many Airmen would be receiving an overload of care packages from their family and friends.

According to Capt. Pamela Worrell, 455th Expeditionary Mission Support Group executive officer, Airmen from across the wing voluntarily donated either the entire or parts of their care packages for the holiday party.

Airmen donated food items such as cookies, sausages, cheese, candy, crackers and other holiday snack foods, while raising money to help the committee purchase hot food from the local restaurants and give-aways from local merchants for the party.

Master Sgt. Scott Krzysik's wife, Sarah, assisted as well and paid for several dozen boxes of personal care products to be given to Airmen attending the holiday party. The products were donated by various Arbonne consultants from through out the states.

The food and give-aways were a hit amongst the Airmen in attendance.

"Airmen were 'hung over' the next day from lack of sleep because they didn't want to leave the party," said Captain McMullen. "We were right on the money, as the party was a huge success."