COMMENTARY: Looking forward to a special October this year

  • Published
  • By Colonel Hubie Hegtvedt
  • 442d Fighter Wing Commander
WHITEMAN AFB, Mo. --  As we begin our September UTA, it is hard not to look forward to October... it is going to be special. The Kansas City Royals are leading the American League Central Division by 1.5 games with only 24 games to play.
 
The St Louis Cardinals are leading the National League Central Division by three games.

And, the Kansas City Chiefs are coming off their best season since 2003 with 11 exciting wins last season.

Although all of this Missouri sports news is great and exciting, for our wing, the greatest event in October by a long shot will be the return of our Airmen from a lengthy and challenging combat deployment. We expect our Reservists and Active Duty Airmen to return sometime during the window of Oct. 27-31.

Like you, I very much look forward to welcoming our troops home. Just as I appreciate their sacrifice, I appreciate all the support the Airmen and families at home have provided during the past several months. We will pass along a refined date of return as soon as it becomes clear, and relay the game plan for meeting our brothers and sisters in arms when they step foot back in Missouri. In addition, please mark your calendars for an epic event planned for Saturday, Dec. 6. For all 442d Fighter Wing Airmen and their families, we'll have a Family Day / Welcome Home / Christmas party all rolled into one.

Details of the event will follow, but expect a mid-day event (Dec. 6, 10am-2pm) with food, drinks, kids' activities, Santa Claus visit, photos with Santa and/or an A-10, and more. This is the perfect opportunity to welcome home our warriors and enjoy time with our fighter wing family. October 2014 -- good time to be a Missouri sports fan... awesome time to see all our wing warriors back home. Thank you for your service.