Ellsworth thanks military spouses May 10

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Ashley J. Thum
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  While many Americans were gearing up for Mother's Day, Ellsworth spent an entire day catering to the spouses and families of its Airmen during Spouse Appreciation Day, May 10.

From a live enactment of a military working dog apprehending a decoy to a bomb-loading demonstration on the flightline, the day's events served to educate and appreciate Ellsworth spouses.

The day kicked off in the Deployment Center, where informational booths about subjects such as cyber awareness, the base's youth program and sexual assault prevention welcomed visitors to learn about what the base has to offer, and remarks by Col. Kevin Kennedy, 28th Bomb Wing commander.

"The saying goes that `Airmen sign up, but families re-enlist,'" said Kennedy, who also shared a greeting from his wife, Cindy. "Thank you. I know it's not easy."

Anne Noll, 28th Force Support Squadron Youth Center director, staffed one of the booths in the Deployment Center. As a member of Ellsworth, and a military spouse herself, she knows firsthand what kind of sacrifices military families make every day.

"We support our spouses," Noll said. "We're here to tell them thank you."

One of the many activities for Spouse Appreciation Day was a demonstration by the 28th Civil Engineer Squadron explosive ordnance disposal robot, where family members had the opportunity to operate the robot and try on an advanced bomb suit.

At other locations across the base, 28th Munitions Squadron technicians showcased their bomb-building skills inside Bldg. 7160, an area rarely accessible to those outside the squadron. Aircrews also provided tours of a B-1 bomber static display on the flightline.

As the afternoon began to wane, Airmen and their families watched as members of the 28th CES Fire Department set a mock aircraft ablaze in their fire training area, and then cheered while children who had volunteered to ride in the fire response vehicles helped to extinguish the flames.

The effort each unit made throughout the event to encourage family members' participation did not go unnoticed.

"We now have a greater appreciation for not just what my husband does, but what every Airman does," said Jessica Ellis, wife of 2nd Lt. Trevor Ellis, 28th CES engineering deputy flight chief, who brought their two children, Isaac, 3, and Allison, 22 months, to experience how Ellsworth operates. "It was a lot of fun, especially for the kids."