Tradition abounds at 39th ABW Dining Out

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Kali L. Gradishar
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  More than 200 service members, civilians and family members dressed in their finest gathered in the Club Complex Ballroom June 16 to partake in a night full of tradition, camaraderie and playful banter during the 39th Air Base Wing Dining Out.

The official party included Col. Eric Beene, 39th ABW commander and president of the Dining Out, and his wife, Laura; Turkish air force Col. Deniz Kartepe, 10th Tanker Base Command commander, and his wife, Meliha; Chief Master Sgt. Marcus Snoddy, 39th ABW command chief, and his wife, Mayumi; and guest speaker Lt. Col. Glen Christensen, 39th Security Forces Squadron commander.

"We haven't done this sort of thing in a long time," said Colonel Beene. "This is a heritage event. It is really important that we do this."

Dining Out is a military tradition that offers service members the opportunity to socialize with spouses and friends in an environment similar to a Dining In, a military-only banquet held to boost morale and companionship outside the workplace. According to the 39th ABW Dining Out program, American service members were first introduced to Dining In events in Europe during World Wars I and II.

Dining In and Out events involve very specific, often hilarious, rules to be followed during the occasion. Such rules included, "Thou shalt make every effort to meet all guests;" "Thou shalt consume thy meal in a manner becoming gentlepersons;" and "Thou shalt enjoy thyself to the fullest."

Those not following proper Dining Out rules were sent to the "Grog," a bowl filled with assorted consumable liquids.

Staff Sgt. Kitsana Dounglomchan, 39th Force Support Squadron, and Tech. Sgt. Priscilla Anderson, 39th Air Base Wing, acted as Mr. and Madam Vice, the emcees of the event. Master Sgt. Michael Mujwid, 39th Maintenance Squadron first sergeant, acted as the Dining out Sergeant at Arms, the demonstrator and enforcer of rules.

Additional highlights of the event included the playing of the U.S. and Turkish national anthems, reading of the history of Dining Out events, and a Prisoner of War/Missing in Action Ceremony performed by the Incirlik Air Base Honor Guard. At various times throughout the event, participants charged their water glasses to offer toasts to a number of U.S. and Turkish entities such as distinguished guests Colonel Kartepe and his wife, the Turkish air force and the host nation, along with other public figures and all service members who gave the ultimate sacrifice.

Guest speaker Colonel Christensen, following the event's theme of "Expeditionary Families", portrayed numerous accounts of each unit on base supporting families. Praise was directed at every unit, to include Turkish air force partners, for their many accomplishments and daily dedication to excel.

"That is family," said the colonel as he reminisced about the many times he's felt a sense of family at Incirlik AB to include when a Turkish air force officer said to him in challenging times, "Brother, we're in this together."

"In our heart of hearts, this family right here - we are the best at what we do," said Colonel Christensen. "There won't be any fanfare, and there won't be any parades; but we can look each other in the eyes and say that we are the best at what we do."

Following the guest speaker's remarks, Colonel Beene presented Colonel Christensen with an oversized check representing $100 for the Wounded Warrior Fund donated in his name. This was one additional way the Expeditionary Families-themed event portrayed the importance of family - from parents, spouses and children to brothers and sisters in arms.

"As Colonel Christensen mentioned, we are a family," said Colonel Beene, "and we survive because we take care of one another.