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Warriors of the North blow out the candles at the Air Force Ball

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Desiree Economides
  • 319th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  White gossamer and historic photographs hung transforming the 3-bay Hangar here Sept. 11, bringing together more than 450 Airmen and community members to celebrate the 68th birthday of the U.S. Air Force at the annual Air Force Ball.

Lt. Gen. William J. Bender, former commander of the 319th Air Refueling Wing here, served as the guest speaker. Today, Bender is currently serving at the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force as the Chief, Information Dominance and Chief Information Officer.

During his speech, Bender recounted on his time spent as the commander at Grand Forks AFB, when the base was being looked at as a potential base to close as part of the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission. He attributes the base being open today to his "nothing but net shot" and the connection between the base and local community.

It was wonderful to be back in Grand Forks and to see old friends, said Bender.

He continued that the close relationship between the base and the downtown community here is unlike anything he had seen,  serving as a great model for other military bases.

Attendees made sure to stay true to their core value of "Excellence in all we do," by donating a collection of new socks to special guest Erin Bertel, Mrs. North Dakota International 2015, for her involvement in The Joy of Sox, a not-for-profit organization providing socks to the homeless.

Col. Rodney Lewis, 319th Air Base Wing commander, closed the evening with his remarks about mentorship and his guiding principles: faith, family, friends, future and freedom.

Tonight is about celebrating the Air Force birthday with our family and friends, he said. We celebrate tonight so tomorrow and in the future we can work together as 'One Grand Forks Air Force Base... Defending Freedom.'