LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. –
The 633rd Force Support Squadron is scheduled to host the first Langley-Eustis Appreciation Day August 3 at the Langley Air Force Base soccer fields.
LEAD evolved from Junior Enlisted Appreciation Day to encompass Soldiers from Fort Eustis.
"This is the time for [senior non-commissioned officers] to take one day to show their appreciation of their junior enlisted personnel's hard work," said James Murrell, 633rd FSS community center director.
Murrell plans to make this year's LEAD phenomenal by providing service members numerous activities aimed at junior-enlisted Airmen and Soldiers. Each segment of the event area is dedicated to a specific activity.
Aside from a mechanical bull, bouncy castles and a dunking both, Murrell said a "gamer's bus" equipped with videogame consoles will be provided for game junkies and their friends.
For those with a more competitive spirit, activities such as corn hole, volleyball, basketball and a number of Airmen-versus-chiefs events are scheduled to take place.
In addition to activities, Murrell said there will be free food, and music from the Heritage of America Band's group, the Blue Aces.
Those invited include Department of Defense, active-duty, Reserve and National Guard personnel and their families. The soccer fields will be an alternate-duty location, so Murrell expects approximately 3,000 people to come out.
The Langley Civic Leaders Association will also be making an appearance, and plans to help out with the events to show their support of Joint Base Langley-Eustis.
The main support, however, comes from the senior-enlisted personnel from across base, said Master Sgt. John Ritz, 633rd FSS first sergeant. Master sergeants and above will be serving food, and serve as proctors for competitions.
"A lot of hard work and planning has gone into making sure that the junior enlisted and their families are well entertained," said Ritz. He admitted that stress crept into the planning process, but to see everyone having a good time is the ultimate reward.
After taking lessons learned from JEAD in years past, the senior enlisted gathered together and planned out the appropriate budget and prioritize needs. After figuring out how much food, people and equipment is required, Ritz found volunteers and set times.
In the future, Murrell said there will be more coordination with the Fort Eustis Morale, Welfare and Recreation Center to make the event more integrated in the spirit of Joint Base Langley-Eustis.
"We always strive to show our Airmen a good time," said Murrell. "This day is definitely dedicated to that mission."