Cannon hosts 22nd annual 'Cannon Appreciation Day'

Photo By Senior Airman James Bell | Rosi Cory, Clovis Community College, serves food to Airman 1st Class Shawn Roraback, 27th Special Operations Equipment Maintenance Squadron metals technician, at the 22nd annual Cannon Appreciation Day held at Unity Park, Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., Aug. 12, 2011. The event is sponsored by Clovis, N.M. and local business owners to celebrate and honor the base with prizes, food and visit with one another.  

CLOVIS, NM, UNITED STATES

08.12.2011

Story by Airman 1st Class Alexx Pons 

27th Special Operations Wing

CLOVIS, N.M. -- The community of Clovis, N.M., recognized the airmen of Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., during the 22nd annual Cannon Appreciation Day, Aug. 12.

The Clovis community sponsored the event, held at Unity Park, providing food, drinks, music and prizes.

Clovis Mayor Gayla Brumfield said, "This event really helps bring Clovis and Cannon together. We understand the importance of the mission here for our country, and this is a small way of showing our thanks."

The event was sponsored by the Clovis Industrial Development Corporation, Committee of Fifty and Clovis/Curry County Chamber of Commerce.

"It's great to see so many people from our community come out and show their appreciation for us," said Staff Sgt. Rocky Edwards Knode, 27th Special Operations Civil Engineer Squadron Airman dorm leader. "I've been to the last five or so appreciation days and each one is better than the last."

Volunteers grilled burgers and hotdogs, gave out chilled drinks and even put together a pie eating contest for some "healthy" competition.

Along with volunteers, Cannon also hosted several distinguished visitors.

New Mexico Sen. Jeff Bingman made an appearance at Unity Park after a brief tour of Cannon facilities.

"This base is slowly being transformed into one of the largest and probably most diverse," said Bingman. "Cannon does a tremendous amount of good for this state and the country. It's really great to see the community reaching out to express gratitude."

Brumfield had plenty to say about how much the Clovis community appreciates Cannon and its airmen.

Brumfield, who has been involved with Cannon Appreciation Day for 22 years, commented on why the event was initially put together for the airmen.

"We have really been blessed with this particular special operations mission," said Brumfield. "We can't say thank you enough to these service members, but this event gives them something."

Col. Buck Elton, 27th Special Operations Wing commander, gave many thanks to those sponsoring the event, reminding airmen that they have the Clovis community supporting them.

"It's through events like this that we are able to have such a great tradition of honoring and thanking our outstanding airmen," said Elton. "Hopefully we can continue this tradition of working together."

"Our air commandos actively engage in combat around the world supporting special operations missions," he said. "The support we receive from the surrounding communities enables us to continue our mission."

• Date Taken: 08.12.2011
• Date Posted: 08.18.2011 13:57
• Story ID: 75555
• Location: CLOVIS, NM, US