The Perfect Surprise Party

You know how I said I wasn’t so sure I would be able to keep up a daily blog? I caved a few days ago, but I’m back! Life gets busy sometimes and while it’s still busy, let’s pump out a quick post here about planning the ultimate celebration for someone close. So instead of planning a new party, let me describe a party I helped plan a “few” years ago.The seemingly perfect celebratory birthday party was for my dad. It was his 40th. Mom and I went all out inviting every one of our friends from across different friends groups. Dad and I were also on the local volunteer fire department, so of course we had a fire truck in the backyard.Dad hates surprises. Like the time he came home from serving in South Korea for a year with the Army and we had bought an Akita dog without consulting him. Yup, he hates surprises.This time, although he’d made himself clear how he felt about surprises, we did it anyway. He loves us to this day; I promise.He had no idea what was coming and as he road his bike home from work he could see the bright red fire truck through the trees (I group up in a VERY rural town in the Montana Rocky Mountains, so anything else would’ve been hidden through the trees). We had music, drinks, food, brats and burgers on the grill, a piñata and all our friends. What an awesome celebration held in our backyard, our happy place. It was amazing and Dad accepted it. I don’t remember if he instructed us to never do something like that again, but we didn’t anyway. Perhaps we’ll have to do something special for his 60th in five years. #evillaughFrom the party,Ben

Women’s Equality Day celebrated at Grand Slam Wing

by Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

message," said Flores, a 379th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron emergency management journeyman deployed from Dover Air Force Base, Del., and an Azusa, Calif., native. "The colonel spoke on the topic of women's equality, but with an extra emphasis on our advancement in the military."In 2013 alone, women in the military have seen many strides, especially in combat and leadership roles.Earlier this year, the defense department announced the inclusion of women in 237,000 combat positions historically off-limits to women by 2016. Additionally, on Aug. 1, President Barack Obama announced his nomination for Deborah Lee James to succeed the Honorable Michael B. Donley as Secretary of the Air Force, a position never before filled by a woman."On this Women's Equality Day, we honor those who fought tirelessly for a woman's right to vote," said Valerie B. Jarrett, a Senior Advisor to the President in her www.whitehouse.gov blog post for the day. "But we know there is much more work to do. Let us keep marching forward together."A member of the planning committee for the 379th AEW's celebration, 1st Lt. Nicole Tripputi, said this remembrance is very important because not only was it a turning point for women's rights, but also reminds all service members the importance of everyone's contributions to the mission."It paved the way for women's rights," said Tripputi, the 379th Expeditionary Contracting Squadron commodities flight commander deployed from Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., and a Lincoln, Calif., native. "The observance of Women's Equality Day not only commemorates the passage of the 19th Amendment, but also calls attention to women's continuing efforts toward full equality."