KANSAS CITY, Mo.— The 139th Recruiting Office attended the annual Kansas City Pride Festival this weekend to represent the 139th Airlift Wing and the Missouri Air National Guard. They offered information to approximately 15,000 potential recruits. The recruiters targeted this festival due to their goal of reaching out to the Kansas City area and to the LGBT community.
Tech. Sgt. Jason Jones, recruiter assigned to the 139th Airlift Wing, says the 139th welcomes anybody who is able to serve.
“If anybody interested is physically and medically qualified, they have the opportunity to serve their community, state and country,” Jones said. “All are welcome in the 139th Airlift Wing.”
Jones hopes their efforts at the festival have positively impacted people who didn’t know about the 139th. Senior Airman Kendra Simpson, who is assigned to the 139th Force Support Squadron, volunteered to help with recruiting efforts at the event. Simpson says she wanted to represent the 139th due to her personal ties with the LGBT community.
“I have many family members and friends who are a part of the LGBTQ+ community,” said Simpson. “I want to show support for them in everything I do, including in the military.”
Many veterans and family of veterans stopped by to express their thanks and support of the military to the recruiters.
Jeanette Burlbaw, a festival attendee, has military family members and says she was glad to see the military represented at the festival.
“It’s neat to see them out here,” said Burlbaw. “The military sure has come a long way.”
Jones said they will continue to target new recruits from the Kansas City area.