LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. –
Airmen from the past and present were honored as part of the opening ceremony for Hampton Roads Air Force Week April 18 at Hampton University's Armstrong Stadium.
The ceremony kicked off a week of activities that will allow the community an opportunity to meet Air Force members, see how they help protect America, and allow them to say "thank you" for their support.
"This is a chance to show people we're here and what we're doing," said Tech. Sgt. Bonnie McKusick, 1st Medical Group, who recently deployed to Afghanistan with an Army unit.
Sergeant McKusick was one of six Langley Airmen honored at the ceremony during a Parade of Airmen. Their individual stories showed how they represented all Airmen who partner with the other military branches in the joint fight protecting the men and women serving on the ground, and their families at home.
Senior Airman Justin Edwards, 1st Force Support Squadron, Tech. Sgt. Carlos Gutierrez, 1st Logistics Readiness Squadron, Staff Sgt. Trent LaChance, 1st Communications Squadron, Staff Sgt. Michael Day, 1st Operations Support Squadron, and Staff Sgt. Nicholas Ramsey, 1st Security Forces Squadron, joined Sergeant McKusick in the Parade of Airmen.
"It feels good to give back to the community and let them see what we're doing on a day-to-day basis," said Airman Edwards, who has extended family living in the Hampton Roads area. "This is truly an honor looking at the past together with the future," he added referring to the ceremony's progression from World War II era P-51 Mustang fly overs to a four-ship formation of F-22 Raptors flown by all Virginian pilots.
Since the ceremony took place on the anniversary of the Doolittle Raiders World War II bombing of Tokyo, a B-25 Mitchell was the first to fly over the stadium. Two Tuskegee Airmen, retired Chief Master Sgt. Grant Williams and Berry Quinton, were also present as all past Airmen were honored.
"The response we got from the community was more than I had expected," said Sergeant Day, who will deploy again in August. "It was an honor to be selected among so many people who have deployed."