Celebrating family and 75 years of the Air Force Reserve

Members of the 403rd Wing and their families gathered for food, fun, games, and music at the Keesler Air Force Base's Marina Park June 3 for a day of celebration of family and the 75th Anniversary of the Air Force Reserve. The combined celebration event was held to illustrate the comradery and family values that the Reserve maintain. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Master Sgt. Jessica Kendziorek)

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Celebrating family and 75 years of the Air Force Reserve

Members of the 403rd Wing and their families gathered for food, fun, games, and music at the Keesler Air Force Base's Marina Park June 3 for a day of celebration of family and the 75th Anniversary of the Air Force Reserve. The combined celebration event was held to illustrate the comradery and family values that the Reserve maintain. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Master Sgt. Jessica Kendziorek)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Celebrating family and 75 years of the Air Force Reserve

Members of the 403rd Wing and their families gathered for food, fun, games, and music at the Keesler Air Force Base's Marina Park June 3 for a day of celebration of family and the 75th Anniversary of the Air Force Reserve. The combined celebration event was held to illustrate the comradery and family values that the Reserve maintain. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Master Sgt. Jessica Kendziorek)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Celebrating family and 75 years of the Air Force Reserve

Members of the 403rd Wing and their families gathered for food, fun, games, and music at the Keesler Air Force Base's Marina Park June 3 for a day of celebration of family and the 75th Anniversary of the Air Force Reserve. The combined celebration event was held to illustrate the comradery and family values that the Reserve maintain. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Master Sgt. Jessica Kendziorek)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Celebrating family and 75 years of the Air Force Reserve

Members of the 403rd Wing and their families gathered for food, fun, games, and music at the Keesler Air Force Base's Marina Park June 3 for a day of celebration of family and the 75th Anniversary of the Air Force Reserve. The combined celebration event was held to illustrate the comradery and family values that the Reserve maintain. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Master Sgt. Jessica Kendziorek)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Celebrating family and 75 years of the Air Force Reserve

Members of the 403rd Wing and their families gathered for food, fun, games, and music at the Keesler Air Force Base's Marina Park June 3 for a day of celebration of family and the 75th Anniversary of the Air Force Reserve. The combined celebration event was held to illustrate the comradery and family values that the Reserve maintain. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Master Sgt. Jessica Kendziorek)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Celebrating family and 75 years of the Air Force Reserve

Members of the 403rd Wing and their families gathered for food, fun, games, and music at the Keesler Air Force Base's Marina Park June 3 for a day of celebration of family and the 75th Anniversary of the Air Force Reserve. The combined celebration event was held to illustrate the comradery and family values that the Reserve maintain. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Master Sgt. Jessica Kendziorek)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Celebrating family and 75 years of the Air Force Reserve

Members of the 403rd Wing and their families gathered for food, fun, games, and music at the Keesler Air Force Base's Marina Park June 3 for a day of celebration of family and the 75th Anniversary of the Air Force Reserve. The combined celebration event was held to illustrate the comradery and family values that the Reserve maintain. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Master Sgt. Jessica Kendziorek)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Celebrating family and 75 years of the Air Force Reserve

Dr. Tim Lea, training director from the Mississippi division of Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve attended the family day celebration to provide information to members of the 403rd Wing and their familes, who gathered for food, fun, games, and music at the Keesler Air Force Base's Marina Park June 3 for a day of celebration of family and the 75th Anniversary of the Air Force Reserve. The combined celebration event was held to illustrate the comradery and family values that the Reserve maintain. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Master Sgt. Jessica Kendziorek)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res

Celebrating family and 75 years of the Air Force Reserve

Published June 5, 2023
By Senior Master Sgt. Jessica Kendziorek
403rd Wing Public Affairs

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --

Hundreds of members of the 403rd Wing and their families gathered at Keesler Air Force Base's Marina Park June 3 for the Wing’s annual Family Day.

Coinciding with the 75th Anniversary of the Air Force Reserve, this event displays the camaraderie and family values that the Reserve represents.

“It is a big deal today, we are happy to celebrate the Reserve Command and the 403rd Wing as a whole,” said Capt. Patrick Tift, 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron pilot, who volunteered to plan the family day event for 2020 which was cancelled due to COVID and has waited for his chance to plan it again. “It has been an honor working with all of the base agencies, getting all of us together and working as a team.”

The event featured a wide range of food and fun; from chief master sergeants manning the grills, Lil’ Bill available for the kids to go into, to having a DJ with music and games for all the Airmen and their families to enjoy.

Chief Master Sgts. work the grills for the family day celebration. — Celebrating family and 75 years of the Air Force Reserve

Members of the 403rd Wing and their families gathered for food, fun, games, and music at the Keesler Air Force Base's Marina Park June 3 for a day of celebration of family and the 75th Anniversary of the Air Force Reserve. The combined celebration event was held to illustrate the comradery and family values that the Reserve maintain. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Master Sgt. Jessica Kendziorek)

SLIDESHOW | images | Celebrating family and 75 years of the Air Force Reserve

Wing members play cornhole during the family day celebration. — Celebrating family and 75 years of the Air Force Reserve

Members of the 403rd Wing and their families gathered for food, fun, games, and music at the Keesler Air Force Base's Marina Park June 3 for a day of celebration of family and the 75th Anniversary of the Air Force Reserve. The combined celebration event was held to illustrate the comradery and family values that the Reserve maintain. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Master Sgt. Jessica Kendziorek)

SLIDESHOW | images | Celebrating family and 75 years of the Air Force Reserve

Wing members dance to the music provided by the DJ during the family day celebration. — Celebrating family and 75 years of the Air Force Reserve

Members of the 403rd Wing and their families gathered for food, fun, games, and music at the Keesler Air Force Base's Marina Park June 3 for a day of celebration of family and the 75th Anniversary of the Air Force Reserve. The combined celebration event was held to illustrate the comradery and family values that the Reserve maintain. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Master Sgt. Jessica Kendziorek)

SLIDESHOW | images | Celebrating family and 75 years of the Air Force Reserve

Wing members throw axes during the family day celebration. — Celebrating family and 75 years of the Air Force Reserve

Members of the 403rd Wing and their families gathered for food, fun, games, and music at the Keesler Air Force Base's Marina Park June 3 for a day of celebration of family and the 75th Anniversary of the Air Force Reserve. The combined celebration event was held to illustrate the comradery and family values that the Reserve maintain. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Master Sgt. Jessica Kendziorek)

SLIDESHOW | images | Celebrating family and 75 years of the Air Force Reserve

Wing members play cornhole during the family day celebration. — Celebrating family and 75 years of the Air Force Reserve

Members of the 403rd Wing and their families gathered for food, fun, games, and music at the Keesler Air Force Base's Marina Park June 3 for a day of celebration of family and the 75th Anniversary of the Air Force Reserve. The combined celebration event was held to illustrate the comradery and family values that the Reserve maintain. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Master Sgt. Jessica Kendziorek)

SLIDESHOW | images | Celebrating family and 75 years of the Air Force Reserve

Wing members hang around and pose for photos. — Celebrating family and 75 years of the Air Force Reserve

Members of the 403rd Wing and their families gathered for food, fun, games, and music at the Keesler Air Force Base's Marina Park June 3 for a day of celebration of family and the 75th Anniversary of the Air Force Reserve. The combined celebration event was held to illustrate the comradery and family values that the Reserve maintain. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Master Sgt. Jessica Kendziorek)

SLIDESHOW | images | Celebrating family and 75 years of the Air Force Reserve

Wing members and their families tour the 81st Civil Engineering Squadron fire truck and get to see the equipment. — Celebrating family and 75 years of the Air Force Reserve

Members of the 403rd Wing and their families gathered for food, fun, games, and music at the Keesler Air Force Base's Marina Park June 3 for a day of celebration of family and the 75th Anniversary of the Air Force Reserve. The combined celebration event was held to illustrate the comradery and family values that the Reserve maintain. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Master Sgt. Jessica Kendziorek)

SLIDESHOW | images | Celebrating family and 75 years of the Air Force Reserve

Wing members play an outdoor block game. — Celebrating family and 75 years of the Air Force Reserve

Members of the 403rd Wing and their families gathered for food, fun, games, and music at the Keesler Air Force Base's Marina Park June 3 for a day of celebration of family and the 75th Anniversary of the Air Force Reserve. The combined celebration event was held to illustrate the comradery and family values that the Reserve maintain. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Master Sgt. Jessica Kendziorek)

SLIDESHOW | images | Celebrating family and 75 years of the Air Force Reserve

Chief Master Sgts. work the grills with some assistance from members of the 403rd Operation Support Squadron. — Celebrating family and 75 years of the Air Force Reserve

Members of the 403rd Wing and their families gathered for food, fun, games, and music at the Keesler Air Force Base's Marina Park June 3 for a day of celebration of family and the 75th Anniversary of the Air Force Reserve. The combined celebration event was held to illustrate the comradery and family values that the Reserve maintain. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Master Sgt. Jessica Kendziorek)

SLIDESHOW | images | Celebrating family and 75 years of the Air Force Reserve

Wing members throw axes during the family day celebration. — Celebrating family and 75 years of the Air Force Reserve

Members of the 403rd Wing and their families gathered for food, fun, games, and music at the Keesler Air Force Base's Marina Park June 3 for a day of celebration of family and the 75th Anniversary of the Air Force Reserve. The combined celebration event was held to illustrate the comradery and family values that the Reserve maintain. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Master Sgt. Jessica Kendziorek)

SLIDESHOW | images | Celebrating family and 75 years of the Air Force Reserve

Wing members attempt to juggle at the family day celebration. — Celebrating family and 75 years of the Air Force Reserve

Members of the 403rd Wing and their families gathered for food, fun, games, and music at the Keesler Air Force Base's Marina Park June 3 for a day of celebration of family and the 75th Anniversary of the Air Force Reserve. The combined celebration event was held to illustrate the comradery and family values that the Reserve maintain. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Master Sgt. Jessica Kendziorek)

SLIDESHOW | images | Celebrating family and 75 years of the Air Force Reserve

Wing members' families play in the splash pad during the family day celebration. — Celebrating family and 75 years of the Air Force Reserve

Members of the 403rd Wing and their families gathered for food, fun, games, and music at the Keesler Air Force Base's Marina Park June 3 for a day of celebration of family and the 75th Anniversary of the Air Force Reserve. The combined celebration event was held to illustrate the comradery and family values that the Reserve maintain. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Master Sgt. Jessica Kendziorek)

SLIDESHOW | images | Celebrating family and 75 years of the Air Force Reserve

“I got to bring my family in from Atlanta for this,” said Master Sgt. Cody Sherrill, 403rd Maintenance Squadron electrical and environmental technician. “The kids had fun playing in the splash pad, got soaked and also enjoyed seeing the fire truck.”

There were plenty of activities for the children to enjoy. The 81st Civil Engineer Squadron brought over a fire truck for the kids to see and climb into, while the 81st Security Forces Squadron provided a K-9 demonstration. Overall, there were bounce houses, the splash pad and a kid’s dance hour and color run. Some adult games available included cornhole and axe throwing.

“I like it when the kids can come on base and are included,” said Lauren Sherrill, wife of Master Sgt. Sherrill. “Plus, it was good to meet people.”

There were booths set up to get information from the attending agencies, as well as the opportunity to go out on flightline to see the static displays of the aircraft for family members of the Airmen.

"It was a good effort by the members of the wing to put this together," said Tift. “We hope everyone got the chance to come out and enjoy the day.”