Lajes honors Portuguese employees, hosts 400 at luncheon

by Capt. Mark Graff
65th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

1/24/2014 - LAJES FIELD, Azores -- The 65th Air Base Wing honored its Portuguese employees at a luncheon here, today. Approximately 400 Portuguese employees attended the luncheon as part of a month-long celebration of Lajes Field's Portuguese workforce.

Col. Chris Bargery, 65th Air Base Wing commander, recently designated each January as Portuguese Employee Appreciation Month to recognize the nearly 800 Portuguese employees who work with U.S. Air Force servicemembers stationed at Lajes Field. U.S. servicemembers and Portuguese employees have worked together on Lajes Field since 1946.

"Portuguese Employee Appreciation Month is about honoring and recognizing the amazing Portuguese men and women we work and live with each day," said Bargery. "Our Portuguese employees provide the continuity, technical expertise and dedication that make our wing so successful. Through the decades, their service is the common theme to what makes this base so great."

Jorge Fontes, a Portuguese employee from Angra do Heroismo, felt honored by the event.

"I felt honored because I've been working for the U.S. government for the last 38 years and this is the first time I've seen any celebration like this," said Jorge Fontes, an accounting technician for the 65th Comptroller Flight. "I think it's a good idea, I really appreciate it and I hope it happens every year for the local nationals."

The luncheon was held at the base's Top of the Rock Club and included a traditional Azorean alcatra meal, a video presentation and a commemorative gift presentation from the wing commander and command chief. The gift depicted the Portuguese and American flags flying side-by-side. It will be displayed near the entrance of the Top of the Rock Club.

Bargery concluded the ceremony by offering his thanks to the Portuguese workforce.

"I've been continually impressed by the capabilities of our Airmen - both American servicemembers and Portuguese employees," Bargery said. "Working together for so many years, we've achieved much, but we've got the capability to do so much more. Looking forward, I know we'll uphold Lajes Field's traditions of excellence in mission accomplishment and care for one another."

Maj. Billy Shaw, 65th Logistics Readiness Squadron commander and event organizer, said several events were held this month by 65th Air Base Wing squadrons. However, the signature event was the wing luncheon.

"We designed the event around Portuguese culture and Lajes Field history to say 'muito obrigado' in traditional Azorean style," said Shaw. "This was just our chance to give back to our great hosts and the entire Portuguese work force."

Portuguese employees said they appreciated the events throughout the month. Fontes' unit had an informal coffee break recently.

"We had a coffee break... and had a good time getting together with the Portuguese and American workers," Fontes said. "The lunch was very good, very well coordinated, and (there was) enough space for everybody... it was just very nice."

Shaw said much of a unit's success at Lajes Field can be attributed to Portuguese employees' knowledge and experience.

"Americans only live on Terceira for a few years at a time - I'm here for two years - but we're able to accomplish so much in that time because of our hosts," Shaw said. "Working with someone who has served in your unit for 30, even 40 years is amazing. There's so much our Portuguese employees teach us that helps make our units successful, even with high turnover on the American side."

Units decorated the Top of the Rock Club with photo displays of Lajes Field history and significant Portuguese employee accomplishments. The photos are on display for the remainder of January.