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Enlisted Dinner

  • Published
  • By Christie Spargur
  • 375th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
2007/05/24 --  The Belle-Scott Committee, the nation's oldest civic support group for a military installation and its personnel, and a 150 civic leaders from the local area honored Joint Total Force Scott's enlisted corps on May 17 at the 57th Annual Belle-Scott Enlisted Dinner at Fischer's Restaurant in Belleville, Ill.

The dinner's sole intent is to provide members of the local community an opportunity to show their appreciation for the service and sacrifices made by JTF Scott's enlisted men and women. When purchasing tickets, each civic leader not only pays for their own meal but also one for an enlisted service member. This year over 130 enlisted troops were treated to dinner.

"Ensuring the brave men and women who defend this nation are assisted, recognized and supported is the most important function of the Belle-Scott Committee, said Kathy Kaiser, executive director of the Greater Belleville Chamber of Commerce. "We gather together this evening to say thank you."

The mayor of Belleville and a Belle-Scott Committee member, Mark Eckert, said, "Words cannot tell you how much we [the surrounding communities] appreciate the young men and women at Scott for being our neighbors and friends.

"You keep us safe and fight for our freedoms throughout the world," said Mayor Eckert. "We appreciate what you do."

Following the tradition of the annual dinner, Airman 1st Class Aaron Glockner, an aerospace medical service apprentice with the 375th Medical Operations Squadron, offered the enlisted response to the mayor's comments. "The men and women in uniform, who sit beside you, make great sacrifices in service to this country and silently marching alongside them are their family and friends.

"Sacrifice, however, is nothing new," said Airman Glockner. "Those who served before us have also endured the hardships and have sacrificed their wants for the needs of country.

"Yet, we are not alone. It is the support of our fellow citizens that smoothes the stone paths set before us and lightens the load we carry," said Airman Glockner.

"...From sponsoring our recognition programs and scholarships to tributes like tonight's dinner, you have clearly demonstrated our partnership with the same focus during a time of war," said Airman Glockner. "Knowing that we are not alone in serving our nation and fighting for our freedom, we are better able to accomplish our mission."

In addition to honoring JTF Scott's enlisted corps, this year's dinner also served as a reunion of sorts for two Airmen who met at the dinner on May 10, 2001.

Senior Master Sgt. James King, Air Mobility Command and Staff Sgt. Pam King, MAF LSC, knew little about each other when they first met at the Enlisted Dinner in 2001 but began talking at the registration table and during the bus ride to the restaurant.

The Kings were assigned seating at different tables but the backs of their chairs met. "It was very odd," said Sergeant King. "We had pre-assigned seating, but his seat was directly behind mine.

"What struck me the most was his mannerisms were so professional," said Sergeant King. "His attention to customs and courtesy were precise. The exact minute they started playing the National Anthem, our conversation halted. We were in sync."

After the dinner, the Kings exchanged numbers. Two days later they went on their first date and exactly one year after meeting they married on May 10, 2002.

The 57th Annual Enlisted Dinner marked the fifth wedding anniversary for the Kings and the Belle-Scott Committee made special mention of their story at the dinner and congratulated them with mementos.

Speaking about the significance of the dinner and the community's demonstration of support, Sergeant King said, "It kind of felt like a child who was going back to his old neighborhood where the elders were still there. It was like being in a home environment where you know you'll be taken care of and where people genuinely care about your career, welfare and will make sure you do the right thing.

"It [the dinner] made me feel like wow these people really do care about the military and support us," said Sergeant King.

Making a comparison between before and after 9/11, Sergeant King said, "Before 9/11, everyone was doing their own thing. After 9/11, I didn't have the feeling the light came on one day in this area."

"Here, it wasn't like 'oh, now, let's show our patriotism' as it was in some places throughout the country," said Sergeant Pam King. "It was more like the community is still here. They were there before and they're here now."

The strength of community support was also a key theme in Col. Al Hunt's remarks, 375th Airlift Wing, commander. "There are those who talk about what you do and then there are those who do it.

"Today we got to see the community's support at the dedication of the dorms," said Colonel Hunt, "and we are witnessing it here tonight."

"At table 37, reservists from the 932nd were seated without a civilian host, but both Chairman Mark Kern and Mayor Eckert stopped to talk to them during the break," said Colonel Hunt. "They stopped because they cared and wanted to show it.

"That's the type of community this is," said Colonel Hunt. "They do more than just talk about supporting the Airmen. They do it."