McChord Airmen celebrate 68 years of the US Air Force

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Timothy Chacon
  • 62nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
TACOMA, Wash. --  The U.S. Air Force celebrated its 68th birthday Sept. 18 and Airmen from Joint Base Lewis-McChord gathered together to honor and celebrate this momentous occasion.

Held in downtown Tacoma, more than 500 attendees gathered for the festivities that included guest speaker Kim Wyman, Washington secretary of state, a POW/MIA table presentation and a cake cutting by the oldest and youngest Airman in attendance.

The ceremony dinner started with the posting of the colors by the McChord Field honor guard and the presentation and explanation of the lone table set aside to honor prisoners of war and those missing in action.

After dinner Secretary Wyman delivered her remarks.

"On behalf of the citizens of the great state of Washington, I thank you for your service, your commitment to defending our country, and all you add to our communities and our state," said Wyman. "As you all know, it is not only the commitment of the individual who volunteers to enlist or to be commissioned in the Air Force that makes the organization strong, but it is the support he or she receives from his or her spouse, parents, children, friends and community which makes that service possible."

Wyman, who has an extensive list of military service in her family, to include her husband being an Army Ranger, took a moment to joke with the audience on the topic of playful inter-service rivalries.

"I have deep pride in my husband's military service. I mean, I realize everyone can't be in the Army, which explains why so many of you went with your second choice for service branch," said Wyman.

The joke went over as well as could be expected in a room of mostly Airmen, but was received by the crowd in playful manner. Wyman quickly followed up with a thank you from her husband for the precision on professionalism of Airmen he has worked with during his service.

Wyman continued her speech focusing not only on the mission requirements Airmen face, but also the daily requirements. 

"I love tonight's theme, A Night Among Heroes. It is not just the high profile things you do that are heroic. Delivering emergency supplies to a disaster zone half a world away or transporting wounded troops from a war zone are heroic acts, no doubt," said Wyman. "However, I believe what you do every day is also heroic.  It's the thousand things you do daily to be the best fathers, mothers, spouses, friends, teammates, team leaders, volunteer coaches, community leaders and particularly, professional Airmen."

Wyman closed her remarks by thanking the service members for their dedication and commitment.  

After Wyman's speech she assisted with the traditional cutting of the cake with the oldest Airmen in attendance Chief Master Sgt. Anthony Mack, 446th Airlift Wing command chief, and the youngest Airmen, Airman 1st Class Iroquois Smallwood, 627th Communications Squadron cyber systems operations specialist. 

This was Smallwood's first time at an Air Force Ball and an experience he was happy to be a part of.

"I thought the Ball was fantastic. I didn't know about the cutting of the cake until just prior to dinner being served," said Smallwood. "When they called my name I was totally nervous. It is a good thing that when I'm nervous I smile. I expected the cutting of the cake with the Air Force saber to be awesome, I just didn't want to embarrass myself in front of everyone."

After the cutting of the cake, Smallwood was presented the saber as a token of appreciation from the McChord Chapter Air Force Association. The formal portion ended with the singing of the Air Force song, and the event continued with the attendees dancing and socializing the night away.

"I came to have an enjoyable night with friends and coworkers and to celebrate the Air Force birthday. I would love to experience the joy of attending the Air Force Ball again next year," said Smallwood.