Dyess celebrates AF's 67th birthday

by Airman 1st Class Kedesha Pennant
7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs

9/23/2014 - DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- The Dyess Air Force Ball was held here Sept. 20 2014, in commemoration of the Air Force's 67th birthday.

This year, Col. Michael Bob Starr, 7th Bomb Wing commander, and his wife, Kim, hosted the Air Force birthday celebration in the tradition of an old-school hangar dance complemented with ballroom dancing.

This celebration was complete with finger foods, a live band, a C-130J Super Hercules and B-1B Lancer static display for photo opportunities, and even a chandelier made from a lit and decorated parachute hanging from the ceiling.

In the days leading up to the ball, two ballroom dancing sessions were offered to those participating in the event. Anyone who planned to attend the ball was invited.

"My daughter and I loved the ballroom dance lessons tremendously," said Master Sgt. Marguerita Volz, 7th Bomb Wing command section noncommissioned officer in charge. "These lessons contributed to celebrating the 67 years of our heritage, and it was remarkable to see tradition brought back into our modern Air Force."

The modern day U.S. Air Force was formed from the U.S. Army into its own military service Sept. 18, 1947, under President Truman's National Security Act of 1947.

Each year, the Air Force birthday presents an opportunity for Airmen to foster tradition and heritage, build spirit de corps and to commemorate a legacy that encompasses a rich history of innovation, which continues today and is internalized and celebrated by our Airmen.

Also celebrated are Airmen and their families, as without Airmen, there is no airpower and no safeguard to the nation's interests. It is an opportunity for Airmen to contemplate the future of the Air Force and recommit to the legacy of its innovation, which will continue to be an integral part of how the force trains, employs its forces and develops its capabilities.

"The Air Force ball is a great way to recognize our Air Force heritage and be able to make it a part of our new generation of Airmen," said Staff Sgt. Kendra Hill-Daughton, Dyess Honor Guard NCO in charge. "We should never forget how far we have come as an Air Force family, as well as a Dyess family."

More than 550 tickets for the ball were sold to Airmen, spouses, civilians as well as Abilene Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs Committee members and honorary commanders.

Earlier in the week, on the official date of the Air Force birthday, Sept. 18, Dyess held a cake-cutting ceremony at the Longhorn Dining Facility. It is tradition for the Dyess Airman with the most time in service to cut the Air Force birthday cake, along with the Airman with the least amount of time in service, using a saber.