On September 16th, Chapter 872 hosted the 21st Scott AFB Enlisted Inter-Service Dining Out. This year’s event was another resounding success with over 225 in attendance from all five services.
The roots of the dining out can be traced back to the middle ages but are more closely associated with Hap Arnold’s “Wing Dings” of the 1940s. Our heritage as Airmen is what makes the Dining In/Out a special affair. It is what separates us as military members from people that work in the civilian workforce. It is important that we continue to have these ceremonies on a regular basis so we can teach their importance to the junior Airmen of today’s Air Force. If we do not instill these traditions, the Dining In/Out could disappear forever.
The Dining Out was led by President of the Mess, CMSgt Jim Suttles, Command Chief, 375 Air Mobility Wing. CSM Tomas Hawkins was the guest speaker and discussed the importance of one mission being performed by five key components and that no one services job was any more important than the others; we can only win the fight as one team!
Besides members of all five services from the Scott AFB and St. Louis area, the event was attended by five former POWs who took part in the POW/MIA Ceremony. Also in attendance were Division 89 Officers Jean Kolwitz, Bud Kolwitz, and Charlie Dalzell.