Family Fun Mile, 5K kick off ‘Week of the Air Force Family’ Published Oct. 23, 2009 By Senior Airman Melissa Copeland Air University Public Affairs MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. -- All Maxwell-Gunter base personnel are invited to the Family Fun Mile and 5K scheduled for Oct. 31, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Air Park here. The fun run/walk is the kickoff event leading into the Week of the Air Force Family beginning Nov. 1 and running through Nov. 7. The month of November is also National Military Family Appreciation Month. "This kickoff event will highlight the programs and agencies that provide resources, assistance and support that benefit the entire Air Force family, be it active-duty, civilians, dependents, Guard and Reserve or retirees," said Maj. Michelle Tarkowski, the 42nd Force Support Squadron operations officer and Maxwell-Gunter Year of the Air Force Family co-chair. The Family Fun Mile and 5K, in addition to all Air Force Family Week activities, are open to all members of the Maxwell and Gunter community. "Family is the foundation of our strength as individuals," said Mr. Derrick Sanders, Family Support Branch chief and Maxwell-Gunter Year of the Air Force Family co-chair. Air Force leaders have emphasized the strength of the U.S. is not the platforms employed - it is our Airmen and their families. Mr. Sanders believes, "it is imperative that we make sure this source of strength is a priority." The Oct. 31 kickoff event will also feature prizes such as VIP tickets to the annual Glenn Miller concert and the Maxwell 2010 Air Show and tickets to 'Dracula,' a burger burn and informational booths spotlighting various base and local organizations. "Not only will this be a fun time for all, it will provide a great opportunity for everyone to learn about the upcoming events planned for the Year of the Air Force Family," he continued. Additional activities for the Week of the Air Force Family include focused events in each of the four Year of the Air Force Family pillars - health and wellness; Airman and family housing; Airman and family support; and education, development and employment. To start the week, families will have the opportunity to play a shorter, easier and faster course Nov. 1 at Maxwell's Cypress Tree Golf Course. For those Airmen and families with currently deployed or soon-to-deploy servicemembers, there will be a Deployed Link dinner in addition to an educational information seminar at the Maxwell Events Center Nov. 3. On Nov. 5 Civilianjobs.com will host a Career Expo at the Maxwell Officers' Club. Maxwell families with an artistic flair will have an opportunity to shine in the Armed Forces Family Art Contest Nov. 5. "The art contest at Maxwell Elementary also supports Wounded Warrior Month as the winning submissions will be forwarded to designated wounded warrior care centers for display," Mr. Sanders shared. To round out the family recognition week, the Maxwell Youth Center will host a family cooking class Nov. 6 for those wishing to perfect their culinary skills together. "We chose these events because they showcase our base support agencies and appeal to a variety of our Air Force family members [children, active-duty, families of deployed personnel, retirees] while highlighting the Year of the Air Force Family's pillars of excellence," Major Tarkowski said. Maxwell-specific family activity information will soon be available via the Maxwell-Gunter Year of the Air Force Family Web site, to be housed under the Maxwell FSS homepage, www.maxwellservices.us. "A goal of the Year of the Air Force Family program is to consolidate Maxwell-Gunter events and ensure that they get the necessary visibility," Mr. Sanders stated. "We have a great group of folks from agencies across the bases that are helping to make this happen." For more information on any of the Week of the Air Force Family events, call Major Tarkowski at 953-5121 or Mr. Sanders at 953-2353.