Moody celebrates heritage during dining-in

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Ryan Callaghan
  • 23d Wing Public Affairs
MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  Members of Team Moody came together to celebrate military tradition by hosting a dining-in May 2, 2014, at Moody Air Force Base, Ga.

A dining-in is a traditional military social event including dinner, toasts, entertainment and a speaker.

Brig. Gen. Kenneth Todorov, former 23d Wing commander and the evening's guest of honor, addressed the attendees following dinner.

"It's great you're honoring a part of our heritage, the fantastic tradition that is dining in," Todorov said. "When I came out on the stage and saw you all in a beautiful formation, it reminded me of what our Air Force is all about. It's about history, and it's about tradition. And you're absolutely a part of that," he said. "You've got a ton of [history] here at Moody Air Force Base. Just look around you."

Todorov emphasized that each individual Airman contributes to our elite force and its history.

"I hope you're proud of what you do, because you're the best in the world at it," he said. "We are the absolute best air force in the history of the world, and you are part of that," he claimed. "Be proud of that history and that heritage."

There are more than 300 million people in the United States and Todorov stated only twenty two million have ever worn a U.S. military uniform.

"One million people are still serving today, and a little more than 300,000 of us are Airmen," he said. "That's pretty special. We are part of a unique and graceful culture."

Aside from promoting history and heritage, a dining-in is meant to be enjoyable for the Airmen in attendance.

Airman 1st Class Joseph Chaney, 23d Force Support Squadron customer support representative, said this was his first time attending an Air Force dining-in.

"It was absolutely a morale booster for the base," he said. "It got people to wind down and experience a different part of the Air Force that you don't see every day."

Todorov agreed, saying he enjoyed being able to talk to Moody's younger Airmen in a relaxed social environment.

"It's been a lot of fun being here tonight, I've really had a great time," Todorov said. "I've had the chance to speak with some tremendous Airmen which is the real reason I'm here."