Atlanta Braves helps Air Force celebrate 60th birthday

Published Sept. 21, 2007
By Tech. Sgt. James Branch
94th AW

ATLANTA -- The Air Force celebrated its 60th birthday in Atlanta at a Braves major league baseball game at Turner Field on Sept. 18.

Baseball fans witnessed what announcers called a spectacular evening of parachutes, flyovers and good old American spirit.

"This is terrific," said Maj. Gen. Scott Hammond, Georgia Air National Guard commander. "As commander of more than 3,000 Air National Guard members, it is great to have an organization such as the Braves show such support of our Airmen."

Members of the Air Force Reserve Command's 94th Airlift Wing, Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Ga.; 315th Airlift Wing, Charleston Air Force Base, S.C.; Air Force recruiters; and retirees hosted the Air Force Jet Car and static displays, and greeted fans as they entered the ball park.

"I'm just proud to be a part of this celebration," said Kent Landers, Atlanta Braves fan. "It's an honor to salute the Air Force on its 60th birthday. I want to give a special salute to our Georgia based troops."

Maj. Gen. Tom Owen, commander of the Warner Robins Air Logistics Center at Robins AFB, Ga., said: "I'm excited to be a part of the 60th anniversary celebration here in Atlanta. I'm just waiting to see what festivities are in store."

The event opened with a jump by Wings of Blue parachutists from the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo. The jumpers landed on various positions of the field carrying the U.S. flag, a POW/MIA flag and the Air Force flag. Other jump team members carried colored streamers. The last parachutist carried the Air Force 60th Anniversary baseball that was flown around the world.

The baseball was presented to Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue; General Hammond; General Owen; Brig. Gen. Ric Severson, Air Force Reserve Command assistant vice commander; and Bobby Cox, manager of the Atlanta Braves.

Two F-22 fighter aircraft from the 325th Fighter Squadron, Tyndall AFB, Fla., performed a flyover during the singing of "The Star-Spangled Banner."

"This is a real treat for me," said General Severson. "It brings back childhood memories of when I used to watch players like Hank Aaron and Joe Torre."

He praised the Braves organization and their owners for their support of the Air Force.

The fans cheered and applauded World War II veterans and Tuskegee Airmen Earl Martin and Hiram Little as they entered the stadium.

"Everything is just beautiful," said Mr. Martin, a member of the Tuskegee Airmen Inc., Atlanta Chapter. "I wouldn't have missed this for the world. The hospitality is out of sight."

Staff Sgt. Audrey Latson, a member of the 94th Airlift Wing Honor Guard, performed God Bless America during the seventh inning stretch.

"This was truly a wonderful evening, and to top it off, the Braves won," said Mr. Martin. "I think we brought them good luck." (Air Force Reserve Command News Service)