Photo By Marisa Alia-Novobilski | Airmen and family members from Detachment 319 “ham it up” during the USO’s...... read more read more
KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany – Members of Air Force Technical Applications Center Detachment 319 were out in full force Saturday, volunteering in support of the Kaiserslautern USO’s seventh annual ‘Sun and Fun Day’ at Pulaski Park on Vogelweh Air Base, Germany.
The volunteers helped serve burgers and brats, led ball toss and water gun racing games, assisted with train rides and safety, and more, while having fun and gaining volunteer experience in the process.
“The day was a chance to provide entertainment and fun to military members and their families,” said Airman 1st Class Ashley Saylor, a native of Warner Robins, Georgia, who coordinated the volunteer opportunity with the USO on behalf of the detachment. “Volunteering as part of the (Det. 319) team gave us a chance to build our camaraderie and strength as a group while having fun in the process.”
The event drew a crowd of more than 2,000 children and families with carnival games, military displays, working dog and safety demonstrations from local and military emergency personnel, a free barbeque, a Segway obstacle course and a live band that played throughout the afternoon.
Staff Sgt. Nathaniel Swanson, a native of Bartlett, Tennessee, helped manage two separate science stations at the event—a solar-powered marble racing system and an air-powered pneumatic claw and dunk tank. He used the volunteer opportunity to share his physics knowledge with children and adults alike, impressing crowds with his scientific explanations.
“I love science and teaching others new things,” said Swanson. “This was a great chance to teach kids about science and ‘spark’ their interest in the so many things they can learn. I was even told by a parent that I was a really good teacher, which felt good to hear and brightened my day.”
Though held during daylight hours, the event also commemorated National Night Out, an annual community-building celebration held in August in neighborhoods across the U.S. and Canada, to promote police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie as a way to make communities safer, better places to live.
“I enjoyed seeing all of the people out and about, having fun with their families and each other,” said Saylor. “I have free time, so why not spend it helping others out?”
“I really enjoyed the whole day,” said Swanson in agreement. “It gave me a lot of ‘job satisfaction’ even though it was simply just a ‘volunteer opportunity.’ I hope I get the chance to volunteer with them again in the future.”
| Date Taken: | 08.27.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 08.27.2015 08:39 |
| Story ID: | 174386 |
| Location: | KAISERSLAUTERN, RP, DE |
| Hometown: | BARTLETT, TN, US |
| Hometown: | CARBONDALE, PA, US |
| Hometown: | UNION BEACH, NJ, US |
| Hometown: | WARNER ROBINS, GA, US |
| Web Views: | 131 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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