Community thanks military members with summer picnic

  • Published
  • By Mary Lou Gorny
  • Hilltop Times Editor
 More than 3,500 military and family members got their choice of barbecue brisket, chicken wings, four different salads, watermelon, strawberry shortcake, ice cream sandwiches, microbrews, soft drinks, water and milk on July 12 at Centennial Park. And that was only the food.

It was one way for local representatives from communities surrounding the base to show appreciation. The Salute to Our Nation's Defenders Picnic featured not just plenty of food, but live music, professional kite flying, water-themed bouncy inflatables, a climbing tower, welcoming flag walkways and even a large portable fan for good measure.

Temperatures had been hot recently, but other than a small microburst early in the morning as the Top of Utah Military Affairs Committee (TOUMAC) set up, the weather broke, the heat wave eased slightly, and active duty, Guardsmen, Reservists and their families came out in large numbers to the afternoon event.

Col. Ronald Jolley Sr., Ogden Air Logistics Complex deputy commander for maintenance, was enjoying the picnic after being in Utah only two weeks. "It is outstanding. This is awesome. My wife and I and the kids are really enjoying this," he said.

The colonel reports that the reception his family has received as they have been out around town has been exceptional and welcoming. "As soon as they find out you're military, people will come up and say, 'welcome here,' and 'thank you.' That is very much appreciated."

And he went on to express compliments for those putting on such events for the military. He expressed his conviction that for a returning Airman to come from a deployment to this that it "filled your heart."

Brian Garrett, TOUMAC chairman, was gratified to see the response from so many community and even a few base volunteers to help make the picnic a success.. As the ops tempo has decreased in Iraq and Afghanistan he has definitely not seen a decrease of support from community members. "People are very much engaged, looking for new and innovative ways to help support the warfighter," he said.

Airmen and family members ate at tables in the pavilion, in small groups on the lawn, or at tables stretched out in rows on the grass. Many took advantage of the chance to enjoy the live music and the entertainment. Attendees seemed to be really enjoying themselves and the picnic fare as two bands played in turn, and children waited their turn patiently for a chance to play on the inflatables or to rappel up the climbing tower.

It was a chance to relax and unwind for many Airmen and family members.

Gastronomy Inc. representatives, Ty Fredrickson and Fred Boutwell, took a brief break from the grills and food service to talk a little bit about their restaurant company's efforts.

"It doesn't happen in a day," said Boutwell.

"We started this a week ago, with a lot of vegetables getting prepped up," said Fredrickson. "A lot of things (have to happen), a lot of logistics, too. A lot of volunteers are here to help us out."

They started at 4 a.m. to get the day started. "As big (a company) as we are it takes a lot to feed 3,000 people," he said.

Boutwell explained that they make the food fresh and 17 people were required to get the picnic fare ready to serve such a large group.

Both agreed their work is motivated by what the Airmen do for their country.

Fredrickson noted that out of the events they do all year, this one for Hill Air Force Base is the one with the most polite recipients. "We are grateful to them," he said. Not for their polite manners and graciousness, but for what they do for their country, he emphasized.

Both agree it is one of the favorite things their employees like to participate in.

Fredrickson said, "We had one manager who had to work at the restaurant today and he was very disappointed."

Barbara Riddle, TOUMAC Salute Picnic chairwoman, characterized her experience with the TOUMAC picnic as event-goers surrounded her near the shaded dessert table: "It's been a wonderful year. We've been in the planning stages for months and are thrilled to be here. Our crowds are huge, people are happy and we are doing the job we wanted to do. We are grateful for the support of our many generous sponsors and base and community volunteers."

Community thanks military members with summer picnic

  • Published
  • By Mary Lou Gorny
  • Hilltop Times Editor
 More than 3,500 military and family members got their choice of barbecue brisket, chicken wings, four different salads, watermelon, strawberry shortcake, ice cream sandwiches, microbrews, soft drinks, water and milk on July 12 at Centennial Park. And that was only the food.

It was one way for local representatives from communities surrounding the base to show appreciation. The Salute to Our Nation's Defenders Picnic featured not just plenty of food, but live music, professional kite flying, water-themed bouncy inflatables, a climbing tower, welcoming flag walkways and even a large portable fan for good measure.

Temperatures had been hot recently, but other than a small microburst early in the morning as the Top of Utah Military Affairs Committee (TOUMAC) set up, the weather broke, the heat wave eased slightly, and active duty, Guardsmen, Reservists and their families came out in large numbers to the afternoon event.

Col. Ronald Jolley Sr., Ogden Air Logistics Complex deputy commander for maintenance, was enjoying the picnic after being in Utah only two weeks. "It is outstanding. This is awesome. My wife and I and the kids are really enjoying this," he said.

The colonel reports that the reception his family has received as they have been out around town has been exceptional and welcoming. "As soon as they find out you're military, people will come up and say, 'welcome here,' and 'thank you.' That is very much appreciated."

And he went on to express compliments for those putting on such events for the military. He expressed his conviction that for a returning Airman to come from a deployment to this that it "filled your heart."

Brian Garrett, TOUMAC chairman, was gratified to see the response from so many community and even a few base volunteers to help make the picnic a success.. As the ops tempo has decreased in Iraq and Afghanistan he has definitely not seen a decrease of support from community members. "People are very much engaged, looking for new and innovative ways to help support the warfighter," he said.

Airmen and family members ate at tables in the pavilion, in small groups on the lawn, or at tables stretched out in rows on the grass. Many took advantage of the chance to enjoy the live music and the entertainment. Attendees seemed to be really enjoying themselves and the picnic fare as two bands played in turn, and children waited their turn patiently for a chance to play on the inflatables or to rappel up the climbing tower.

It was a chance to relax and unwind for many Airmen and family members.

Gastronomy Inc. representatives, Ty Fredrickson and Fred Boutwell, took a brief break from the grills and food service to talk a little bit about their restaurant company's efforts.

"It doesn't happen in a day," said Boutwell.

"We started this a week ago, with a lot of vegetables getting prepped up," said Fredrickson. "A lot of things (have to happen), a lot of logistics, too. A lot of volunteers are here to help us out."

They started at 4 a.m. to get the day started. "As big (a company) as we are it takes a lot to feed 3,000 people," he said.

Boutwell explained that they make the food fresh and 17 people were required to get the picnic fare ready to serve such a large group.

Both agreed their work is motivated by what the Airmen do for their country.

Fredrickson noted that out of the events they do all year, this one for Hill Air Force Base is the one with the most polite recipients. "We are grateful to them," he said. Not for their polite manners and graciousness, but for what they do for their country, he emphasized.

Both agree it is one of the favorite things their employees like to participate in.

Fredrickson said, "We had one manager who had to work at the restaurant today and he was very disappointed."

Barbara Riddle, TOUMAC Salute Picnic chairwoman, characterized her experience with the TOUMAC picnic as event-goers surrounded her near the shaded dessert table: "It's been a wonderful year. We've been in the planning stages for months and are thrilled to be here. Our crowds are huge, people are happy and we are doing the job we wanted to do. We are grateful for the support of our many generous sponsors and base and community volunteers."