Community members honored at AGA appreciation night Published Feb. 4, 2015 By Staff Sgt. Erica Picariello 42nd Air Base Wing Public Affairs MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. -- Maxwell and River Region leaders gathered to honor local community members during the annual Alabama Goodwill Ambassador Appreciation Night, Jan. 27, at the Maxwell Club here. Alabama Goodwill Ambassadors are volunteer sponsors from the Montgomery-River Region who assist international officers and their families. Forty-four members from the River Region were recognized by the Air University's International Officer School for reaching milestones in their sponsorship careers. "AGAs ease their transition into the local community and, through their friendship, help to foster international relations, make international officers and their families feel welcome, and create a lasting, positive impression of our nation and people," said Col. Michael Peterson, International Officer School commandant. "The AGA Appreciation Night is Air University's way of thanking and recognizing the ambassadors for their exceptional efforts." Not only are these ambassadors for Alabama, but, in the eyes of some students, also the United States. "It was hard to get integrated into the culture ... new environment and meeting new people," said Group Capt. Aliyu Bello, Nigerian Air Force. "Something that most of us didn't expect was the Alabama Goodwill Ambassadors. They were there right from our arrival -- for some of us, right from the airport -- and brought us into town. So, right from there, we got the feeling of how accommodating and welcoming the people of Alabama and, by extension, the United States, would be." The program began more than 50 years ago and helps by assisting international students and their families integrate into the local community. (U.S. Air Force video by Airman 1st Class Robert Dantzler) "Appreciation Night began in 1978 to thank and honor all of our ambassadors and acknowledge the overwhelming community support which makes this program the model for the Air Force," said Peterson. "The AGA program has been instrumental in the successful graduation of almost 12,000 international officer students and 456 international air chiefs from more than 94 countries." Peterson added that 'Building Partnerships' is one of the 11 U.S. Air Force core functions, and noted that Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Welsh stated that real partnerships between nations begin with real partnerships between real people. "Our Alabama Goodwill Ambassadors have a direct link in us accomplishing this," he said. Although the purpose of AGA Appreciation Night is to celebrate local community members, the Air University commander believes their impact will ripple through time. "Right here before you, you have people from the River Region who understand that it does not matter what culture you are from, it does not matter what place in the world you live - friendship, compassion, empathy and kindness cut through all cultural paradigms," said Lt. Gen. Steven Kwast, during comments at the ceremony. "The future of this globe depends on this generation encouraging, investing and understanding the next generation, and the power in these relationships of trust, these friends that cross oceans, cultures and paradigms, that's what we celebrate tonight."