9th AF, AFCENT serve dinner to single Airmen

Published Jan. 27, 2014
By Airman 1st Class Jonathan Bass
20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- Volunteers from 9th Air Force and U.S. Air Forces Central took time out of their lives to have a positive impact on the Airmen living in the dorms here, Jan. 23.

"It's important for the NCOs and senior NCOs to get out and know the living conditions that our Airmen are living in," said Master Sgt. Nancy Barron-Palumbo, 9th Air Force additional duty first sergeant. "I don't have any Airmen, but I come in contact with Airmen day in and day out and so it's just important to give back to them and remind them that they're not alone and that their leadership cares about them."

At the dorm dinner, normally held monthly by the Single Enlisted E4 and Below leadership team, the volunteers from 9th Air Force and AFCENT served a Mexican-style dinner.

The dinner, which included tacos, enchaladas, quesadillas, rice and beans, and horchata (OR-chata), was provided by the restaurant El Amigos, said Master Sgt. Deborah Gilillandswartz, AFCENT NCO in charge of the command section.

"They (El Amigos) were excited to support us on this," said Gilillandswartz.

All together the dorm dinner fed approximately 50 people.

"I was expecting a few more people," said Barron-Palumbo. "But overall I think it went really well. I think the Airmen really enjoyed the food, and we had a lot of volunteers who gave up a lot of their time and even brought their families. It was nice to do something different for the Airmen."

"It's nice to get out and take care of our Airmen," said Gilillandswartz. "That's our job."

For more information about the next dorm dinner, visit www.shawchapel.org.