Base, city celebrate Armed Forces Day

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Mike Tryon
  • 90th Missile Wing Public Affairs
F. E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. --  Mighty Ninety and Cheyenne, Wyo., members participated in the city's annual Armed Forces Day celebrations held at the Capitol and at Frontier Mall May 18 and 19.

The proclamation ceremony was held May 18 in front of the Capitol this year, whereas all Armed Forces Day ceremonies and displays were at the mall.

The committees working to put the Armed Forces Day activities together chose to use the Capitol as a more formal setting, said 2nd Lt. Jessica Whitney, 90th Comptroller Squadron and Armed Forces Day point-of-contact.

'There had been a concern in the past of people just wandering about, so having it in a more centralized location aides in sustaining the respect for the ceremony and its participants," Whitney added.

Later that evening, military and community members came together for the Armed Forces Day Banquet held in the Holiday Inn, where Maj. Gen. C. Donald Alston, 20th Air Force commander, was the guest speaker.

"Armed Forces Day is not only a day to recognize those who serve, but it is also a day to recognize just how vital community support is to the success of our men and women in uniform," Alston said. "It was an honor to speak at the AFA banquet, and I can't thank our community partners enough for supporting our military members and their families and for making them feel at home."

On May 19, patrons were able to see many military displays throughout both the parking lot and inside of Frontier Mall. Mall patrons were able to catch a glimpse, through both informational and hands-on displays, of the 90th Maintenance Group, 90th Medical Group, 90th Mission Support Group, 90th Operations Group, 90th Security Forces Group and 90th Missile Wing missions.

Some of the displays included Sparky the fire dog, medical equipment, a helicopter, mobile command truck, a payload transporter, weapons and a mobile command post.

Members from the Department of Veteran's Affairs were also there to give information about VA benefits.

"It was really great that we were able to be there and show the community about some of the missions that are carried out on the base," Whitney said. "I'm looking forward to next year's events."