Family Day 2017

  • Published
  • By SrA Enjoli Saunders
  • 175 Wing PA
Baltimore --  The 175th Wing, Maryland Air National Guard celebrated its 12th Family Fun Day, May 7, 2017 at Warfield Air National Guard Base, Middle River, MD. Despite a cold chill, over 2,000 members, friends and family arrived on base around 11 a.m. to attend the opening ceremony for the celebration.

The festivities included food trucks, moon bounce houses, obstacle course, photo booth, face painting, car show and many more activities for all families. The dunk tank provided attendees the chance to help the Junior Enlisted Council raise money for future base events.

"Family Day was a great opportunity for our families to come out and see what we do when we are away from home,” said Maj. Paul Mercier, the 175th Wing Executive Officer. “My eight year old son thoroughly enjoyed all the activities including dunking his father in the JEC Dunk Tank."

There were prizes given for the winner of the car show as well as entertainment including Baltimore Ravens Cheerleaders. The winner of the car show was MSgt. William Sullivan with his 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle.

Overall, Family Fun Day was as successful as predicted by the planning committee.

“Our vision for Family Day centered on how we wanted our families to leave with a sense of pride knowing that what their member contributes to the mission has a major impact on our community and nation,” said Capt. Desiree Patterson, the 175th Wing Force Support Officer in charge of organizing the event. "It was … important for them (families and friends) to feel appreciated and recognized for their support which is vital to our success.”

Family Fun Day was initially created to allow friends and family of wing members to be invited on base to see what the members did as well as to show appreciation for the support members have received throughout their careers.