Reservists celebrate Family Appreciation Day
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, IL (USTCNS) --- Members of the Joint Transportation Reserve Unit (JTRU) hosted Family Appreciation Day, 20 July 2002, to show appreciation to their family members for their support of military reserve responsibilities through training and mobilization. Events included briefings at U.S. Transportation Command, a tour of the Mobility Command Center, a commemorative service and a picnic.
JTRU’s commanding officer, Brig. Gen. Robert P. Meyer, Jr., USAF, welcomed the families and made opening remarks underscoring the importance of the JTRU to TRANSCOM and its global transportation mission. Meyer reported more than half of TRANSCOM’s current manpower are reserve personnel, and with wartime operations ongoing around the clock, a significant percentage of TRANSCOM’s responsibilities are performed by reservists who must leave jobs and family for extended periods.
“As the reserve component increased its role in the defense of this nation, the commitment required of individual reservists proportionately increased. The ability to balance this increasing commitment with a civilian job and family life could not be done without the support of our families,” said Meyer.
“We really want to express our appreciation to our family members who are carrying on while we serve our country. Your understanding of what we do here and your support is very important to us. We miss going to ballgames, birthday parties, graduations and family life, but know our country needs us now, and this is what we’ve trained to do.”
Lt. Col. Jim Pavlisin, USAF, presented the first briefing to help family members understand the scope of Operation Enduring Freedom. Families toured the Mobility Coontrol Center where staff officers explained their jobs and how they relate to transportation operations.
Families heard why meteorology is important to transportation missions, how patients are moved worldwide, how communications are maintained with units in the field and how decisions are quickly made in the MCC. Youngsters delighted at putting on a headset and communicating with an aircraft in flight.
Family members also heard short presentations concerning base services available to mobilized reservists and their families from a legal officer, a chaplain, a TriCare representative and other base service providers. Following the presentations, families headed to Scott Lake for a picnic.
There were things to see and do at the picnic too, like touring a KC-130 tanker aircraft on static display, a fire truck and equipment display by the Scott AFB Fire department and an assortment of games and activities for the youngsters.
“It was a pleasure to invite the families to Scott AFB to familiarize them with the critical role our reservists are playing on the war on terrorism, and to thank them for making it possible,” said Meyer.
JTRU’s commanding officer, Brig. Gen. Robert P. Meyer, Jr., USAF, welcomed the families and made opening remarks underscoring the importance of the JTRU to TRANSCOM and its global transportation mission. Meyer reported more than half of TRANSCOM’s current manpower are reserve personnel, and with wartime operations ongoing around the clock, a significant percentage of TRANSCOM’s responsibilities are performed by reservists who must leave jobs and family for extended periods.
“As the reserve component increased its role in the defense of this nation, the commitment required of individual reservists proportionately increased. The ability to balance this increasing commitment with a civilian job and family life could not be done without the support of our families,” said Meyer.
“We really want to express our appreciation to our family members who are carrying on while we serve our country. Your understanding of what we do here and your support is very important to us. We miss going to ballgames, birthday parties, graduations and family life, but know our country needs us now, and this is what we’ve trained to do.”
Lt. Col. Jim Pavlisin, USAF, presented the first briefing to help family members understand the scope of Operation Enduring Freedom. Families toured the Mobility Coontrol Center where staff officers explained their jobs and how they relate to transportation operations.
Families heard why meteorology is important to transportation missions, how patients are moved worldwide, how communications are maintained with units in the field and how decisions are quickly made in the MCC. Youngsters delighted at putting on a headset and communicating with an aircraft in flight.
Family members also heard short presentations concerning base services available to mobilized reservists and their families from a legal officer, a chaplain, a TriCare representative and other base service providers. Following the presentations, families headed to Scott Lake for a picnic.
There were things to see and do at the picnic too, like touring a KC-130 tanker aircraft on static display, a fire truck and equipment display by the Scott AFB Fire department and an assortment of games and activities for the youngsters.
“It was a pleasure to invite the families to Scott AFB to familiarize them with the critical role our reservists are playing on the war on terrorism, and to thank them for making it possible,” said Meyer.
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