News

McChord Citizen Airmen, kin celebrate family day

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Elizabeth Moody
  • 446th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
MCCHORD FIELD, Wash. --  Reservists from the 446th Airlift Wing shared a fun-and-sun-filled afternoon of festivities with their families during the 446th AW Family Day here, Aug. 11.

Each group, and the wing staff, threw parties celebrating the families of the wing's Citizen Airmen at various locations on Joint Base Lewis-McChord. 

"At the end of the day, families are all we have," said Col. Bruce Bowers, 446th AW commander. "It not only is one of the three tenents to be a Citizen Airman (the others being civilian employers and Air Force service), it truly is the only one that will be part of us long after we retire from the other two. I was amazed to see the number of families participate during our annual unit picnics. I saw both spouses, children and parents attend. I think this illustrates how the 446th AW is truly a family of present, past, and future."

Reservists and their families enjoyed lunch, games, contests, music, static displays and much more during the event which honors families who support the 446th AW mission and its Reservists on a daily basis.

"At the end of the day, at the end of the inspection, and at the end of deployment, the biggest factor in determining our success is our families and the support we get from them," said Col. Richard Grayson, 446th AW vice commander. "If I lined up all 2,300-plus Reservists in the 446th AW, the difference between the good Reservist and the great Reservist is the spouse and the family that is behind him or her. In the 446 AW, we are blessed with 2,300-plus great Reservists, which means we have those great families at home supporting this wing, its mission, and its members."