84 attend 84th FTS dining out

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jacque Lickteig
  • 47th FTW Public Affairs
LAUGHLIN AFB, TEXAS --  Eighty-four Airmen and spouses attended the 84th Flying Training Squadron's dining out at Club XL.

The Panthers of the 84th and their family members donned mess dress and formalwear June 23 to participate in a long-standing Air Force tradition.

Lt. Col. George Day, 84th FTS commander, presided over the mess, and Royal Australian Air Force Flight Lieutenant Andy Bennett served as Mr. Vice.

Attendee Lt. Col. Johnny Wingo said the event was highly spirited, featuring obligatory trips to the grog bowl as punishment for those who disregarded the published "Rules of the Mess." Points of order rang throughout the dinner, either resolved through deliberations between Mr. President and Mr. Vice or absolved with a trip to the grog bowl for a drink of an unidentifiable concoction.

Structured fun and games turned to a serious note when Colonel Day introduced the guest speaker - his father, and the Air Force's most highly-decorated Airman - Medal of Honor recipient Col. (ret.) George "Bud" Day.

Members fell silent as they listened to Colonel Day's story from his son's perspective.

A sharp "Room, Tench Hut!" replaced the traditional greeting applause. The retired colonel's speech celebrated the squadron members.

He drew parallels between serving today and serving during an earlier unpopular conflict, the Vietnam War. He also compared the long Cold War to the Global War on Terrorism, and commended America's strength against threats. "America's strength ... is what keeps our world from being overrun by self-serving, ill-meaning philosophies," he said, citing the Japanese, German Nazis, Communists and Islamic extremists. The event took more than three months to plan.

Project officer 1st Lt. Todd Green said the hardest part was scheduling, but everything else ran smoothly because of squadron members' support. But, the work paid off. "(Events like these) are absolutely essential," the retired Colonel Day said. "It's critical ... to blow off steam, get to know each other and build relationships."