Senior Airman Michael Roman, of the 94th Maintenance Group and president of the Dobbins First Four, and Airman 1st Class Dylan Brown, of the 94th Maintenance Group, sign up potential members for the First Four under the mentorship of the 56 Group. This tent, along with many other tents, housed places for Dobbins Air Reserve Base Airmen to gain information on various subjects from financial planning and education to volunteer opportunities at Family Day on June 3. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Elizabeth Gaston)

Family Day celebrates Dobbins' loved ones

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Chelsea Smith
  • 94th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
Droves of flip-flops and boots walked the street near Lakeside Lounge as Dobbin's members brought out family and friends to celebrate Family Day held here June 3.

Initiating the festivities was the awarding of Spouse of the Year to Carissa Mayes, wife of Capt. Robert Mayes, 94th Security Forces Squadron operations officer, for her commitment and continued support of the mission. Highlights also included water-dunking sessions with several members from wing leadership including Col. Tim Tarchick, 94th Airlift Wing commander,
Col. Richard Kemble, 94th AW vice commander and Col. Steven Clayton, 94th Operations Group commander.

Several attendees spent the day visiting informational booths catering to both the military and civilian population. A few vendors in attendance included representatives from the Community College of the Air Force, Georgia State Patrol, Navy Federal Credit Union and the Marietta Eye Clinic.

"Our presence here to assist with general questions and concerns pertaining to obtaining their Community College of the Air Force degree," said Master Sgt. Craig Downs, Air Force Reserve Command education liaison. "Large events like these are great to be a part of because we're able to answer a lot of questions and cut down on the number of contacts we receive at our offices."

To pacify the younger ones, inflated slides and jumping castles served as magnets for the kids, and the "kids at heart." Other popular attractions included face-painting, balloon animals, fatal vision demonstrations and the roll-over simulator, all which incorporated educational enrichment with entertainment value.

"It's great to come out and enjoy the fresh air," said Alicia Blake, mother of Senior Airman Jessika Reeser from the 94th Airlift Wing Aeromedical Staging Squadron. "It allows us get a lot information, spend time with our families and keep the kids out of trouble, that's why we continue to come back."

To cap the festivities, the Dobbin's Fire Department conducted a live mock office burn on the baseball diamond fields to a crowd of enthralled viewers as they witnessed the damage caused by the rapid momentum of fire.

Attendees could also get in on the action during the fire extinguisher training that allowed them to suppress a fire using the pull, aim, squeeze and sweep, or PASS technique taught by Rodney Long, from the 94th Mission Support Group.

An annual tradition, Family Day is a popular event serving to keep our families at home connected with our families at Dobbins.