Luke's birthday meal makes special day for Airmen

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Bryan Bouchard
  • 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  Once a quarter, the men and women at the Ray V. Hensman Dining Facility put together a meal fit for a king - or fit for an Airman's birthday. 

The quarterly birthday meal consists of a Surf 'n' turf dinner, a birthday cake and prize giveaways, according to Senior Airman Jessica King, 56th Services Squadron and the mastermind behind the quarterly birthday meal for Airmen residing in the dorms.
 
"Services hosts these meals to enhance morale, promote esprit de corps, and provide Airmen living in the dorms with a special meal to recognize their birthdays," she said. 

Besides the menu and prizes, Airmen are seated and served in the dining facility by members of wing leadership like commanders, first sergeants and agency chiefs. All in all, Airman King said the event is worthwhile for the Airmen.
 
"It is an important event to get the Airmen in a relaxed social setting, allowing them to get to know their fellow Airmen and get exposure to some of the wing leadership," she said. "It also reinforces the family concept, because most are separated from their biological families." 

But like many activities on base, none of this would be possible without the assistance from other organizations. Airman King said that historically, the 56th Services Squadron and the base's Top 3 organization have supported the birthday meal by furnishing and funding prizes and decorations.
 
"Just recently the Air Force Sergeants Association, the Luke Airmen's Fund and the Company Grade Officers' Council have all agreed to support the meal," Airman King said. "With the additional financial support we are hoping to increase participation and really put on a spectacular event."
 
Without this support, Airman King said the birthday meal wouldn't nearly be the event is has become.