MTANG Family Day offers food, fun, fellowship

  • Published
  • By Senior Master Sgt. Eric Peterson
  • 120th Fighter Wing Public Affairs Office
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  Hot dogs, hamburgers, salads and ice cream are just a few of the treats that will be offered during the Montana Air National Guard Family Day, scheduled for Aug. 11 at the 120th Fighter Wing.

The annual event is intended to show appreciation to the members of MTANG for their service and to thank their families for the support they provide throughout the year.

Staff Sgt. Paige Held, 120th FW Airman and Family Readiness program assistant, has helped plan this event since May and says family day unifies the membership belonging to several Air Guard units located in the state.

"It connects members of the 120th FW with the 219th RED HORSE Squadron and the Joint Forces Headquarters really well and builds morale for all," Held said.

Physical fitness and healthy lifestyles will serve as the theme for this year's family day.

Family day activities start out with registration for a fun run at 9:30 a.m. The run begins at 10:30 a.m. with the starting line located near the south end of Bldg. 68.

Family members can get an up-close view of specialized vehicles assigned to MTANG. Heavy construction equipment belonging to the 219th RHS will be on display as well as fire trucks assigned to the 120th FW.

The family day picnic begins at 11:30 a.m. in the main hangar, located in Bldg. 25. Members of the Military Affairs Committee of the Great Falls Area Chamber of Commerce have volunteered to cook and serve the summer barbecue fare to the participants.

Booths will be set up to distribute information helpful to service members and their families. Vendors will also have tables set up to display their products and offer drawings to win prizes.

There will also be plenty of things to do for the youngest of the MTANG family members. Held says children's activities include the Jolly Jumper, basketball hoops, beanbag toss and fishing games. This year event organizers are including a comforter walk, which is similar to a cakewalk.

"I think it's important for the family members to know that they are also important," Held said. "By having family day we're letting them know that we appreciate everything they do and appreciate the sacrifice they go through when their loved ones deploy."

Held says the continued success of family days depend upon the support of the many volunteers that offer to help set the event up, cook and serve the food and clean up after the event. Members of the MTANG student flight and volunteer point of contact group also consistently volunteer their time to help ensure a successful event each year.