25th annual Golden Age party honors veterans Published Dec. 7, 2011 By 2nd Lt. Melanie Holliday 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- This year marked the 25th year the Tyndall Chief's Association sponsored the Annual Golden Age Holiday Party at Horizons Community Center on Dec. 6. Nearly 300 senior citizens from the Bay County Council on Aging, Sims Veterans Home as well as from Panama City and Mexico Beach senior communities, attended the party. Guests were treated to cookies, pizza, fruit and drinks. They also got to do some singing and dancing, showing off their skills. "This is my fourth year putting this event together and I have seen it grow from 125 guests to now almost 300," said Airey NCO Academy Commandant, Chief Master Sgt. Malcolm McVicar. "For a lot of our guests, this is the highlight of their year and they really look forward to it and enjoy it." The senior citizens weren't the only ones to attend. Approximately 100 Airmen from Tyndall Air Force Base volunteered at the event, serving attendees their snacks and drinks, passing out door prizes and even dancing. "We put a lot of work into making this special and it's a great way for Airmen at Tyndall to give back," said Chief McVicar. Many of the senior citizens here today are veterans who were part of the Greatest Generation and had a part in helping to build what we have today, he added. "I'm so glad they held this party for us," said Ms. Sandra Babb, a guest at the party. "Now a days I don't get to do many fun things and this has just been a blast." No guest left the party empty-handed. Everyone was given a fruit basket, donated by Team Tyndall members. "We hold fundraisers all year long to ensure everyone who attends receives a gift," said Chief McVicar. "Each fruit basket has a card in it to let the guest know who donated the basket." Several poinsettias and table decorations were also given away, helping to make the event an overall success.