VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The Lompoc Valley Chamber of Commerce sponsored a military appreciation barbeque for uniformed military members and families of deployed members, here, Oct. 4.
More than 1,100 Team V personnel were served meals during the event, which was organized by the Military Affairs Committee of Lompoc. The barbeque has been an annual occurrence for decades.
“Our main mission is to take care of our people that are stationed here, even if it’s only for two years,” said Sylvia King, Military Affairs Committee chairman. “We’d like to show them our support because after all, they are protecting all of us.”
In addition to active duty members, the event also catered to family members of those who are currently serving on deployments or other assignments outside of Vandenberg.
“I really appreciate how they’ve singled out the families of deployed members,” said Tech. Sgt. Brittany Spoutz, 30th Force Support Squadron family readiness NCO. “Generally, they just provide the meals for active military, but they also reach out to all the spouses who have someone who is currently away. I think that’s really important, that they make sure they’re cared about as well.”
The relationship between the city of Lompoc and Vandenberg has long been tightknit, and events like this only continue to strengthen that rapport.
“We just like to show our appreciation,” said Ken Ostini, Lompoc Valley Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau president and CEO. “We want to let them know that the city cares and we love to see them all in our community. Every year for quite a long time we have been doing this barbeque mainly to show our appreciation.”
After a busy few weeks battling multiple wildfires and with normal work hours nearly doubling for many, the military appreciation barbeque was a welcomed sight for Team V personnel.
“All of Team Vandenberg has gotten together over the last couple of weeks and have worked a lot of hours,” said Master Sgt. James Taylor, 30th Logistics Readiness Squadron first sergeant. “So we’ll do anything we can to give back and help them out. They say the stomach is the window to the soul, so anytime we can feed the Airmen and make them happy, I think that’s a win for Team V.”