Airmen Appreciation Meal displays leadership's gratitude Published April 3, 2009 By Senior Airman Kristopher Kingan 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. -- As the aroma of food filled the surrounding area outside of the Bandit Inn dining facility, Ellsworth's senior leadership assisted the 28th Force Support Squadron with their quarterly Airman's Appreciation meal. Following hours of planning and cooking, the Bandit Inn staff was prepared to serve the hundreds of patrons who attended the meal, said 1st Lt. Adam Baker, 28 FSS food services officer. This event allowed senior leadership an oppurtunity to show their gratitude for the hard work and professionalism displayed by Ellsworth's Airmen tier on a daily basis, said Staff Sgt. Rhodello Nuval, 28 FSS Bandit Inn floor manager. "It's important for leadership to show the junior enlisted we appreciate their service and this meal shows them we support them in everything they do," said Master Sgt. Jason Kreutzer, Airmen Leadership School commandant. The Airmen's Appreciation meal allowed Ellsworth leadership the opportunity to interact and serve the Airmen a diversified meal in a relaxing atmosphere. The Bandit Inn's atmosphere of candlelit tables made for a comfortable environment for the Airmen to enjoy a selection of entrees. The menu included fried shrimp, sirloin steak and honey glazed cornish hens. The meal was highlighted with a desert bonanza, with each of the original recipes coming from the members of the 28 FSS. "I was surprised to see my leadership got so involved at the dining facility," said Airman 1st Class Matthew Flynn, 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs still photographer. "It's nice to see they care about my well-being on and off the job. The food was great too." "The meal was an overall success," Sergeant Nuval said. "Being able to partake in a high quality meal, it lifted the morale of our young Airmen." Sergeant Nuval said the date for the next Airmen's Appreciation meal will be announced by the beginning of the next quarter.