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AFAD sees near-record crowds
Sunny skies and warmer temperatures drew near-record crowds and parade entries as the local community paid tribute to the military service members, veterans and their families during this year's Air Force Appreciation Day.
"The City of Mountain Home and Mountain Home Air Force Base share a very special friendship, and AFAD epitomizes that relationship," said Col. Ron Buckley, 366th Fighter Wing commander. "It's a highlight for the Gunfighters to participate in the parade and other activities. They take a lot of pride in being a part of AFAD."
The celebration started Friday evening with the yearly corn shucking, which brought together several dozen members from the local community and nearby Mountain Home Air Force Base. Within a matter of 15 minutes, people like Lt. Col. Chris Estridge and his children, Cooper and Katie, had prepared stacks of corn slated for Saturday's barbecue luncheon, which feeds 5,000 people each year.
"The one thing you hear before you come to Mountain Home is that this town is known to be the most supportive of our military men and women," said Estridge, who commands the 366th Medical Support Squadron at the nearby base. "It's absolutely awesome."
"We absolutely appreciate all that the town does for us," added Col. Scott Moser, 366th Mission Support Group commander. "AFAD is a great opportunity to enjoy the relationship we have with the Mountain Home community."
Last week's celebration came one day before the nation celebrated the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks against the United States, making AFAD a "particularly special event," Moser said. "It's a very important reminder of why those in uniform serve their nation."
Friday's festivities moved into high gear with the AFAD five-mile run and three-mile walk. The evening's sunny skies and higher temperatures seemed to slow down the tempo for the dozens of registered runners that tackled the five-mile road race.
For the third straight year, Dave Ross of Mountain Home crossed the finish line ahead of the pack with a final time of 32 minutes, 3.9 seconds -- about 90 seconds slower than his time last year. Laurel McMahan finished the race in 34 minutes, 11.1 seconds to led the women runners again this year.
Meanwhile, Kaupins Gundars of Boise led the pack of walkers to complete the three-mile walk in 32 minutes, 14.5 seconds. Justin Jetley of Mountain Home followed about two minutes later to finish second with an official time of 34 minutes, 1.9 seconds.
Appreciation day festivities swung into full force as thousands of parade enthusiasts started lining the route Saturday morning. For people like Cindy Muckler, getting the best seats along the parade route is part of the fun. For her, it meant staking out prime locations on American Legion Boulevard by 8:30 that morning.
"I'm expecting a really good turnout," said Muckler, whose son previously served in the U.S. armed forces. "You know how Mountain Home is; people will always come out to show their appreciation for the military."
Dulce Ortiz had her own reasons for showing up early for the appreciation day parade.
"My children made us come early (because) we're here every year in about the same spot," she said.
This year's parade was a bittersweet moment for Ortiz, whose older children have gone off to college, and "our group is getting smaller," she added.
Crowds across the route clapped and cheered as four A-10 Thunderbolts from the Idaho Air National Guard flew over American Legion Boulevard promptly at 10:30 a.m., officially marking the start of this year's procession through Mountain Home.
Parade attendance for AFAD's 51st anniversary exceeded recent numbers with more than 150 registered entries, including a few stragglers. Featuring more than 400 vehicles and hundreds of people from the base and local community, it came close to breaking an unofficial record of 172 entries set more than 30 years ago.
"I'd never seen anything like it. It was so good and very enjoyable," said Gwen Yoh, whose husband serves with the 428th Fighter Squadron at the base. "It was the first time I had ever seen so many people along the streets of Mountain Home."
By 2:30 p.m., parade floats continued to pass the reviewing stand next to Carl Miller Park, also making it one of the longest parades in a number of years. It also retained the distinction of being the largest parade in the state.
Out of everything they saw that day, youngsters like Laila Gaines loved watching the Shriners as they drove their miniature cars along the parade route.
"I liked the little cars. They were silly and cute," Gaines said.
"And they gave us lots of candy," added Kiera Gaines, her sister.
Each entry qualified for a chance to earn distinction as the Judge's Choice best overall float. That honor went to the Faith Lutheran Church, which also finished first in the parade's religious float category.
Meanwhile, crowds at the park reached near-record numbers as people stopped by to sample the wide variety of food and entertainment available throughout the afternoon. Highlighting the afternoon's entertainment was a concert featuring the Mobility Rock Band, a rock 'n' roll group from the Air Force Band of the Golden West based out of Travis Air Force Base, Calif.
As the music echoed across the park, hundreds of people waited in lines stretching nearly halfway into the park to sample the free barbecue beef sandwiches, corn and other fixings. Among those partaking in the long-standing AFAD tradition was Caoilainn Warren, who took refuge beneath a shady tree as she nibbled on an ear of corn.
"It's good," she said, while taking a pause from her lunch break.
More photos available in the Mountain Home News photo gallery