Letters of appreciation

Lowndes, Lanier, Berrien Counties, and City of Valdosta Schools contributed 5,150 letters of appreciation from students to be distributed to Moody personnel. Airmen received the letters on Winter Wingman Day at Moody AFB, Ga. Jan. 20. The letters were written by students of all grades from kindergarten all the way through grade 12. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Melissa K. Mekpongsatorn/Released)

Colonel addresses Team Moody

U.S. Air Force Col. Billy Thompson, 23rd Wing commander speaks at the commander’s call at Moody Air Force Base, Ga., Jan. 20, 2012. Thompson spoke about resiliency and thanked Team Moody for their hard work and what they do on a daily basis. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Paul Francis/Released)

Winter Wingman Day inspires, empowers Team Moody

Published Jan. 23, 2012
By Airman 1st Class Jarrod Grammel
23rd Wing Public Affairs

MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- Team Moody came together Jan. 20, 2012 to celebrate Winter Wingman Day.

Winter Wingman Day offers a pause from the day-to-day mission to a focus on Airmen. This new focus helps to build the on the idea that we must take care of one another. We must also build resilient Airmen and focus on health, mission performance, and unit cohesion.

Events included "appreciation messages" by the 23rd Wing and 93d Air Ground Operations Wing commanders, the Honorable Judge John K. Edwards of State Court of Lowndes County and Master Sgt. Richard Setlock of the 93d AGOW spoke as well to help bring home the message of resiliency.

"All of you in here have made the cut to be in the world's best Air Force," said Col. Billy Thompson. "There are many more people who want to be in than actually can.

"There are thousands of untold people around the world who are thankful for what you do," he added. "There are no big corporations that take a day to focus on the personal lives and wellbeing of their employees," he added.

Squadrons hosted activities to include a burger burn, chili cook-off and pizza by the commanders. Also, squadrons engaged in fitness activities to include kick-ball, softball, paintball, bowling and a 5K run/walk. During the day, group and squadron commanders were visible throughout each flight and provided appreciation messages focused on the sacrifices that sometimes go unnoticed.

Lowndes County, City of Valdosta, Berrien County and Lanier County Schools contributed 5,150 letters of appreciation from students to be distributed to Moody personnel.

"Our Airmen were truly appreciative for these letters of support," said Lawanna Barron, 23rd Medical Operations Squadron Family Advocacy outreach manager. "It was absolutely amazing to see the incredible response that we received."

Winter Wingman Day gave Airmen a chance to improve morale and resiliency of the Air Forces greatest asset.