Air Force Ball highlights Heritage to Horizons Published Oct. 19, 2007 By Master Sgt. Stan Coleman Public Affairs MARIETTA, Ga. -- Eight months of planning and events, celebrating the Air Force Heritage to Horizons theme, equaled a grand night of celebration, honor and fun at the 2007 Air Force Ball held at the Cobb Galleria here Oct. 13. Hosted by Col. Heath Nuckolls, 94th Airlift Wing commander, the occasion celebrated the 60th Anniversary of the Air Force and climaxed the events of Air Force Week Atlanta held Oct. 8-14. Nearly 700 Airmen, friends and family attended the gala, which featured guest speakers Dr. Eugene Williams, a World War II pilot and lecturer, and Lt. Gen. John A. Bradley, Air Force Reserve Command commander. WSB-TV reporter Mark Winne was the master of ceremonies. "My dad, a fighter pilot in the Air Force was my biggest hero," Mr. Winne said during his opening speech at the ball. "It is an honor to be in front of real heroes, past and present, from the Air Force--especially Tuskegee Airman Mr. Rudolph Berthoud and retired Master Sgt. Edwin Horton, a World War II aircrew member who served on the Doolittle Raid mission against Japan." Other distinguished visitors included Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley, Georgia Congressman John Phillip "Phil" Gingrey and a host of veterans from World War II to Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. "This is really a wonderful event," said Samara Gapud, 94th AW Recruiting Squadron administrative assistant. "Everyone involved has really worked hard this year on each Air Force 60th Anniversary event in Atlanta. It's good to see people enjoying themselves." "Our Air Force Ball chairperson, Lt. Col. Arlene Salmon, should be commended," said Master Sgt. Ina Pope, Air Force Ball committee. "The coordination for this event took many hours but it was well worth it." Dr. Williams covered several highlights of military aviation history. The first was the invention of the hot air balloon, used in the Civil War for observation purposes. The second highlight was the invention of the airplane by the Wright Brothers. The third was the accomplishment of the 96,000 aircraft built in 1944. From 1940 to 1945, more than 300,000 aircraft were built, he said. Dr. Williams also cited the accomplishments of early aviators and influencers of U.S military air power such as Gen. William "Billy" Mitchell and Gen. Curtis E. Lemay. General Bradley spoke on the present service of the Air Force and its future. "The greatest part of everything we do in the Air Force is in support of our Soldiers and Marines on the ground in places such as Iraq and Afghanistan," he said. General Bradley also emphasized the importance of modernizing our Air Force with newer aircraft and praised the contributions of enlisted Airmen who support the missions and maintain the aircraft. He concluded his presentation with a message of thanks from Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force General T. Michael Moseley.
