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Hawg Jawg, fishing derby highlight 188th Family Day

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Hannah Dickerson and Senior Airman Cody Martin
  • 188th Wing
EBBING AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Ark. --  Laughter and cheer filled the atmosphere as family members joined their Airmen for a day dedicated to celebrating 188th Wing families and promoting community ties at Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Fort Smith.

Family Day was held May 2, 2015 by the 188th Wing's Airman and Family Readiness office and included the third annual Hawg Jawg 5K run, a Vietnamese cultural exhibition, performance by the band .375, fishing derby, new mission presentations, face painting, balloon animals, a magic show, coloring contest and a cookout.

Opening the day's events was the Hawg Jawg run which featured over 100 runners who came to test their skills on the 188th Wing's scenic installation.

"The Hawg Jawg was spectacular this year and we're looking at ways to make it even better in the future," said Master Sgt. Lindsey Mott, 188th Hawg Jawg coordinator assigned to the 188th Force Support Squadron. "It just gets better each time."

Hayden Anderson took home the overall medal in the male category with a time of 16:36.9 while Jennifer Barker nabbed the overall medal in the female category with a time of 18:38.3. Many other participants were awarded gold, silver and bronze medals for their finishes within their specific age categories.

One of the highlights of Family Day was the fishing derby, which was held after the Hawg Jawg was complete. More than 90 children signed up for the event, double the total from last year, to test their fishing and casting skills among other children their age.

"The fishing derby was truly an extraordinary event," said Master Sgt. Ronald Doyle, Family Day fishing derby coordinator assigned to the 188th Logistics Readiness Squadron. "It was an awesome show, but the best part was the reaction from the children as they interacted with their family members. We hope to continue this every year."

Coordination for next year's Family Day, along with another fishing derby and an enhanced Hawg Jawg, is already underway.

"Family Day was an amazing success thanks to the hard work of so many dedicated people," stated Michelle Pike, 188th Wing Airman and Family Readiness program manager. "We wanted to have something available for everyone and I truly feel like we accomplished that goal by combining the Hawg Jawg with Family Day this year."

Pike reiterated that she felt honored that so many people came to share in a day devoted to celebrating the families who support their Guardsmen and women each and every day.

"This is what makes our unit special," noted Col. Bobbi Doorenbos, 188th Wing commander. "There's a closeness and cohesion among our unit members, their families and the community that is very extraordinary and makes what we do here so unique. I look forward to what next year's Family Day has in store and hope to see an even larger turnout."

Hawg Jawg, fishing derby highlight 188th Family Day

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Hannah Dickerson and Senior Airman Cody Martin
  • 188th Wing
EBBING AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Ark. --  Laughter and cheer filled the atmosphere as family members joined their Airmen for a day dedicated to celebrating 188th Wing families and promoting community ties at Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Fort Smith.

Family Day was held May 2, 2015 by the 188th Wing's Airman and Family Readiness office and included the third annual Hawg Jawg 5K run, a Vietnamese cultural exhibition, performance by the band .375, fishing derby, new mission presentations, face painting, balloon animals, a magic show, coloring contest and a cookout.

Opening the day's events was the Hawg Jawg run which featured over 100 runners who came to test their skills on the 188th Wing's scenic installation.

"The Hawg Jawg was spectacular this year and we're looking at ways to make it even better in the future," said Master Sgt. Lindsey Mott, 188th Hawg Jawg coordinator assigned to the 188th Force Support Squadron. "It just gets better each time."

Hayden Anderson took home the overall medal in the male category with a time of 16:36.9 while Jennifer Barker nabbed the overall medal in the female category with a time of 18:38.3. Many other participants were awarded gold, silver and bronze medals for their finishes within their specific age categories.

One of the highlights of Family Day was the fishing derby, which was held after the Hawg Jawg was complete. More than 90 children signed up for the event, double the total from last year, to test their fishing and casting skills among other children their age.

"The fishing derby was truly an extraordinary event," said Master Sgt. Ronald Doyle, Family Day fishing derby coordinator assigned to the 188th Logistics Readiness Squadron. "It was an awesome show, but the best part was the reaction from the children as they interacted with their family members. We hope to continue this every year."

Coordination for next year's Family Day, along with another fishing derby and an enhanced Hawg Jawg, is already underway.

"Family Day was an amazing success thanks to the hard work of so many dedicated people," stated Michelle Pike, 188th Wing Airman and Family Readiness program manager. "We wanted to have something available for everyone and I truly feel like we accomplished that goal by combining the Hawg Jawg with Family Day this year."

Pike reiterated that she felt honored that so many people came to share in a day devoted to celebrating the families who support their Guardsmen and women each and every day.

"This is what makes our unit special," noted Col. Bobbi Doorenbos, 188th Wing commander. "There's a closeness and cohesion among our unit members, their families and the community that is very extraordinary and makes what we do here so unique. I look forward to what next year's Family Day has in store and hope to see an even larger turnout."