faith

Carl Main, a missionary with Cadence International and Luke chapel volunteer; Tech. Sgt. Sadie Chambers, 56th Fighter Wing chaplain assistant; and Sandy Harris, a volunteer who works with the Protestant Women of the Chapel, work together on the serving line at the chapel-sponsored event Flightline Feast on March 5 in Hangar 914. On average, 150 to 250 Airmen attend the Flightline Feast every month, which rotates between a lunch meal for the day shift workers one month and a dinner for the swing shift workers the alternating month.(Deborah Silliman-Wolfe)

Free food, faith and fellowship

Published March 12, 2009
By Deborah Silliman Wolfe
Thunderbolt staff writer

LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. -- As the savory, sweet smell of barbeque fills the air in Hangar 914, a line of Airmen forms in front of tables filled with vegetables, lemonade, chips, cakes, baked beans and beef on March 5. Another Flightline Feast is about to begin at Luke Air Force Base.

"We have been doing this event for about seven years," said Carl Main, a missionary with Cadence International and Luke chapel volunteer. "Airmen come for the free food, and this chapel-sponsored event is designed to introduce the chaplains and their staff to the troops to help build a bond between them. It gives them a chance to gather in a relaxed atmosphere."

On average, 150 to 250 Airmen attend the Flightline Feast every month, which rotates between a lunch meal for the day shift workers one month and a dinner for the swing shift workers the alternating month.

According to Sandy Harris, a volunteer who works with the Protestant Women of the Chapel, anyone who works on the flightline is welcome to attend the free meal. As she serves the Airmen lunch, she can be heard asking if they want to come participate in chapel activities, such as the bell choir, choir or contemporary worship band.

"It is a good time to try to get recruits!" she said.

Tech. Sgt. Sadie Chambers, 56th Fighter Wing chaplain assistant, says the Flightline Feast is one of the highlights of her month.

"Being able to come out where the Airmen work and take care of them is one of the best parts of my job," Sergeant Chambers said. "To be able to say 'we know you work hard and we appreciate you' is awesome. And you know everybody is happy when they get a free meal!"

Staff Sgt. Ryan Dunlevy, 56th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron avionics technician, and Staff Sgt. Paul Esquibel , 61st Aircraft Maintenance Unit NCO-in-charge of debrief, attended the event.

"This is good for morale, seeing all these people come together," Sergeant Dunlevy said. "It's a nice stress reliever."

Sergeant Esquibel agreed and added his thoughts.

"I came to show the chapel staff that I appreciate what they come out and do for us," he said.