366th Fighter Wing supports local Veterans Day events

  • Published
  • By Maj. Damien Pickart
  • 366th Fighter Wing Public Affairs Office
MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho --  Gunfighters of all ranks participated in and provided support to more than a dozen local Idaho Veterans Day ceremonies and events this Veterans Day weekend.

"It's a privilege and honor for those of us in uniform to support the communities paying tribute to military veterans and their sacrifices," said Col. Mark Kelly, 366th Fighter Wing vice commander. "There's no better way for Americans to gain a greater appreciation for veterans than by seeing and hearing from those who answered the call to arms."

Colonel Kelly served as the wing representative and a guest speaker at the state of Idaho's official ceremony at the Boise Veterans Home Nov. 11. He also attended the Shoshone-Paiute Native American Reservation ceremony on behalf of the wing Nov. 10.

In addition to Col. Kelly, the wing provided guest speakers to six other ceremonies in Glenn's Ferry, Shoshone, Eagle and Mountain Home, sharing their thoughts on military service and sacrifice to thousands of listeners. The wing also sent its honor guard and Singing Stripes to support most of these events as well as several others. A wing formation, almost 70 strong, marched the mile-long route in the Boise Veterans Day parade Nov. 10. Col. Jack McMullen, 366th Operations Group commander, rode in the parade as the wing's official representative.

In keeping with an annual tradition, the wing provided a large formation in service dress for the Mountain Home Veterans Day ceremony, held in the city cemetery Nov. 11. Lt. Col. Mark Smallwood, 366th Aeromedical Dental Squadron commander, served as the guest speaker to a crowd of several hundred. His comments captured the collective thoughts of veterans in the audience.

"Today, we celebrate Veterans Day to honor the men and women who - with love and respect for our great country - carried themselves as swords and shields for America and who have kept war from reaching our front door," said Colonel Smallwood. "Our veterans have shown what we in the Air Force call 'service before self,' enduring the worst in times of war, so we here in the United States of America can live and work in peace."