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Tyndall celebrates 21st annual Golden Age Christmas party

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Anthony J. Hyatt
  • 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Tyndall Air Force Base's Chiefs Group hosted local senior citizens from the Bay County Council on Aging and Sims Veterans Nursing Home Dec. 12 at the CAC annex for the 21st annual Golden Age Christmas party.

Volunteers from units all over the base attended to show support. As three full buses arrived, military members from the ranks of airman basic to chief master sergeant met guests to escort them to the party.

"Every year this is the event that everyone at the nursing home looks forward to," said Virginia O'Hare, Sims Veterans Nursing Home activity director.

More than 200 people were invited, according to Chief Master Sgt. Michael Goetz, 325th Mission Support Squadron superintendent.

"The best part is that more than 60 volunteers from Team Tyndall signed up to show our local veterans and seniors a good time during the holidays," said the chief. "It was truly a Team Tyndall effort."

Master Sgt. Travis Fritts, 325th Mission Support Squadron career assistant advisor, got the party started by entertaining as the disc jockey.

"According to the feedback on last year's Golden Age party, we will have 'less talk and more dancing'," said Col. John Bird, 325th Fighter Wing vice commander.

Drinks, fruits, vegetables and sweets were served to the guest. Along with the food came a raffle drawing for poinsettias and some prizes.

"It puts a smile on your face to help these people, because one day that will be us in their shoes," said Airman 1st Class Kevin Romanach, First Term Airmen Center student. "They say things like 'this is a good EPR bullet,' but at the end of the day, no one really even thinks about that; they do it because they want to."

Guests were able to spend time enjoying refreshments and talking with the Airmen, but spent the majority of their time on the dance floor dancing with volunteers and even doing the electric slide.

"I've been doing this since I was a young Airman; it feels good," said Tech. Sgt. Pelagia Jones, 325th Fighter Wing Protocol non-commissioned officer in charge and volunteer. "Most of the guests here don't get much, and this party is the most they get."