Free Wings, Pizza, and Football for Airmen

  • Published
  • By Airman Jeremy Wentworth
  • 97 AMW Public Affairs

Nothing brings people together and divides them quite like the American pastime of football. Super Bowl Sunday has turned into an American holiday, typically celebrated with family, pizza and wings. The Altus Air Force Base Chapel team has recognized this and wants to offer a taste of home to Airmen who are stationed away from their families.

The Chapel team is offering a free Super Bowl party starting at 4:30 p.m. February 4 for all Airmen ranked E1-E4 at the Airmen’s Resilience Center on Altus AFB

The chapel wants to give Airmen a home away from home and a place to watch the game with their peers.

“Most of the time families come together for Super Bowl parties,” said Chaplain (Capt.) Quanika Bynum, a chaplain assigned to the 97th Air Mobility Wing. “We want to give Airmen the feeling that they’re with family.”

In addition to offering a place to watch the game, the chapel will serve free food.

“We have ordered over 1,000 wings,” said Bynum. “We are also going to have pizza along with chips and dip, all kinds of drinks and we may even have some dessert.”

It’s hard to walk into any office on base without hearing at least some small talk about the upcoming game. Even Chief Master Sgt. Philip J. Eckenrod III, the 97th Air Mobility Wing command chief, had some thoughts on the game.

“I want to make it known that as I sit here on February 1st of 2018, there is only one team who has won six Super Bowls,” said Eckenrod. “I want to make sure everyone acknowledges that the team is the Pittsburg Steelers. As a Steelers fan, it would be disrespectful if I went outside of the state of Pennsylvania. I’m rooting for the Eagles but I’m a realist because I’ve seen the Patriots over the last few years pull out some phenomenal wins. Essentially, I’m rooting for the Eagles and it will probably be a close game. It’s hard for me to say this but I think the Patriots will come out as winners.”

For those who aren’t football fans, there’s still reason to attend the party. Movies, games and food are available for all as part of the celebration.

“We’ve got a whole movie theater at the ARC,” said Bynum. “We’ve got all kinds of movies and popcorn in there. You can go watch football, watch a movie, play some ping pong or some video games. It’s all going to be open and you don’t have to sit and watch football if you think it’s boring.”

For those who are not ranked E1-E4, Club Altus is also showing the Super Bowl.

Even if Airmen can’t be with their traditional family for this American holiday, the chapel and the Air Force are giving Airmen an opportunity to be with their Air Force family and enjoy the game.