Incirlik turns Airmen into storytellers

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Anthony Sanchelli
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  Members of the Incirlik community are offered the chance again to hear their fellow Airmen speak about their lives and the events that have made them who they are during the second Storytellers event Jan. 19, at the club complex from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Incirlik Air Base hosted the first Storytellers in Air Force history in July 2012. Storytellers is a live event where Airmen share their personal stories in such way participants forget it's an Air Force event, said Master Sgt. Lee Hoover, Incirlik American Forces Network station manager. Hoover co-founded Storytellers along with Tech. Sgt. Kitsana Dounglomchan, 39th Force Support Squadron Airman Leadership School instructor. The initiative was praised by U.S. Air Forces in Europe Inspection General team during Unit Effectiveness Inspection, and the two sergeants received the USAFE/IG Excellence Award for their idea.

"Storytellers is an opportunity that is very important to us," said Hoover. "This one varies slightly from last time, but we didn't want it too different because the last one worked so well."

Though still in the initial stages, Storytellers has spread throughout the Air Force. The event was created by Hoover and Dounglomchan in response to an open question from Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James Roy on how to create community connections and open dialogue among Airmen. This event will host seven individuals telling their stories, with one couple sharing theirs together, leaving audiences with six potentially life-changing stories.

Senior Airman Christopher Greevebiester, 39th Maintenance Squadron weapons support team member and speaker during the scheduled Storytellers, explains his thoughts on the upcoming event.

"I want to share my story; it's one that I think will give people different perspectives on issues," said Greevebiester. "Hopefully it will allow others to open up about their own life experiences."

Hoover expressed his enthusiasm for the upcoming event.

"I'm proud to be a part of something so powerful. I really think this can make a difference," said Hoover. "Every Airman has a story, but we don't necessarily take time to tell it. When we do, our stories can change lives."

Storytellers isn't primarily for those speaking on stage. Rather it's more for the audience listening. It's for those Airmen in the crowd to take in the messages of their peers and for some to discover that they may not be alone with experiences in their life, said Hoover. One audience member from the first Storytellers event shared her experience.

"The event had you laughing, crying, and motivated", said Nikita Otto, spouse of Staff Sgt. J. Otto, 39th Medical Operations Squadron mental health technician. "It didn't matter how good the individual was at public speaking, it was how they presented their story. Each speaker brought something different to the stage, and I left wanting more," exclaimed Otto.

With the event being primarily for the audience, Airmen are encouraged to attend and listen to others' stories since that is what the campaign is about.

"One of the biggest misconceptions people hear about Storytellers is that those who attend must share their story, and this is incorrect," said Hoover. "If Airmen go to the event they are there to hear stories."

This is only the second Storytellers event at Incirlik, but expectations for the future have been set for both the founders and participants.

"It is my hope that in the future more Airmen will go to Storytellers and listen to the stories that some of their peers tell," said Greevebiester. "I hope for more people to be willing to tell their story so that they may help and or inspire others.

For those 18 and older who want hear various perspectives on life events, head over to the club Jan 19 between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. For those who would like to share their story at a future Storytellers event, contact Hoover at DSN 676-6491 or Dounglomchan at DSN 676-3326.