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Day of Love: coming together as family, community

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Malia Jenkins
  • Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs
Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs --  The Day of Love had nearly 100 military and civilian members volunteer to participate in this 45-year-old event where senior citizens from across Minot, North Dakota, and surrounding communities travel to Minot Air Force Base to eat a Thanksgiving meal and enjoy the company of Team Minot's family.

"Thanksgiving is the perfect time to hold this event, as this is the time when people seem to be keenly aware of what they are thankful for - family and community," said Susan Wagers, 5th Force Support Squadron special programs coordinator. "It allows the seniors to show how thankful they are to base personnel."

This old tradition, which began in 1969, is a team effort, Wagers said. Children from the elementary school on base made a "Welcome" banner and cards for the event's guests; the boy and girl scouts provided handmade ornaments and led the pledge of allegiance before the dinner and festivities.

"I volunteered for this event because I did it last year and had fun," said Senior Airman Christopher Francis, 5th Civil Engineer Squadron structural journeyman. "My wife and I volunteered as something to do for Thanksgiving since we don't have family here. It gave me a chance to interact with people in the community, and it was nice to be able to spend time with those who might not have anyone else to spend time with.

"I felt like I was doing a good thing for the community," he added. "It's always nice talking to people who have lived here their whole life and getting some prospective from them on things in Minot and how things use to be."

Staff members at the Jimmy Dolittle Center also selflessly volunteered their time, away from their families, to serve the senior citizens a meal similar to a homemade Thanksgiving dinner, Wagers said.      

"This long-standing event served as a way for the base community to honor senior citizens and recognize the fact that they are, truly, the greatest generation," Wagers said, who is in her second year of coordinating for the event.

On average, 150 senior citizens are welcomed on base for this time-old tradition every year. This year, almost 160 guests came to the event.

Wagers said this is a way to let the people who came before us know how much we appreciate them letting us be here and letting them know we appreciate their contribution.

"It's our way of saying thanks," she added. 

"To see the looks on the faces of those senior citizens when they see our troops out here giving their time to help with the event, it's the most amazing thing," Wagers said with a joyful smile on her face. "It's the most special event I've seen in my life, and it means so much to the people who come out here that we do this for them: that the base does it for them."