Airmen recognized at BHSSF luncheon

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Rebecca R. Imwalle
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. - --  Ten base Airmen were honored for their service jand recent deployments overseas during the Black Hills Stock Show Foundation's military appreciation luncheon in the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center in Rapid City, S.D. Feb. 4.

For more than 10 years, the BHSSF has invited servicemembers to their annual luncheon as a way of thanking them for their hard work and sacrifice.

Lynn Husman, BHSSF president, said he appreciates everything military members do to keep this country free and enjoys having the opportunity to thank them in person for their service.

"A lot of servicemembers are separated from their families and loved ones for extended periods of time," Husman said. "They sign up to selflessly serve and give to all of us the freedoms that we enjoy every day. This luncheon is just one small token of our thanks."
 
Master Sgt. Gracey Martinez, 28th Operations Support Squadron airfield manager, was one of the Airmen honored and has been in the Air Force for 16 years and just returned from a deployment to Kuwait July 2013.

"I truly value the fact that this was not a formal or fancy event," said Martinez. "It was BHSSF's way of simply saying thank you. I had a good time and the speakers during the event were very humbling."

Martinez said this was the first appreciation luncheon she attended and that the BHSSF members were very sincere in showing their appreciation for military members.

Husman explained that the luncheon was planned and organized by volunteers from the BHSSF, adding that the group's primary goal is to support and give thanks to a number of groups and organizations in the area including the Black Hills Children's Home Society and Youth & Family Services organization in Rapid City.

"Our group has a board of directors who work closely with our volunteers to establish and achieve our yearly goals," Husman added. "We all volunteer our time because it's important for us to express our gratitude and give back to the community."