Return of annual Soup Supper builds resilience, strengthens community bonds

From left, U.S. Air Force Col. Eric Steel, 319th Operations Group commander; Chief Master Sgt. Kathleen May, 319th Medical Group Senior Enlisted Leader; and retired U.S Army Brig. Gen. Greg Bowen taste and judge soup dishes during the Soup Supper at Grand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota, Nov 7, 2023. The judges graded the 18 entries on taste, presentation, smell and garnish. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Anthony Nunez-Pellicer)

Return of annual Soup Supper builds resilience, strengthens community bonds

Airmen and their families share and judge handmade soup dishes during the Soup Supper at Grand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota, Nov 7, 2023. The 319th Reconnaissance Wing puts the safety and wellbeing of its members first and hosting events like the Soup Supper serves to bring families, friends and coworkers out and together for an event that everyone can enjoy and build fellowship in together. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Anthony Nunez-Pellicer)

Return of annual Soup Supper builds resilience, strengthens community bonds

U.S. Air Force Col. Eric Steel, 319th Operations Group commander, gathers his samples to judge the various soup dishes during the Soup Supper, at Grand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota, Nov 7, 2023. 18 total participants competed in the event, including soups made from both individual guests and whole squadrons. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Anthony Nunez-Pellicer)

Return of annual Soup Supper builds resilience, strengthens community bonds

A group of Airmen share and judge handmade soup dishes during the Soup Supper at Grand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota, Nov 7, 2023. Family games like UNO were available to guests so that they could have fun and strengthen their bonds and connections with one another. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Anthony Nunez-Pellicer)

Return of annual Soup Supper builds resilience, strengthens community bonds

From right, retired U.S Army Brig. Gen. Greg Bowen; Chief Master Sgt. Kathleen May, 319th Medical Group Senior Enlisted Leader and U.S. Air Force Col. Eric Steel, 319th Operations Group commander taste and judge soup dishes during the Soup Supper at Grand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota, Nov 7, 2023. This event intended to provide Airmen and their families a place to gather, converse and strengthen social resilience during the challenging winter months. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Anthony Nunez-Pellicer)

Return of annual Soup Supper builds resilience, strengthens community bonds

140104-F-SQ068-1003 - Airmen and their families share and judge handmade soup dishes during the Soup Supper at Grand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota, Nov 7, 2023. This was the first Soup Supper held since COVID-19 pandemic safety protocols halted the annual event in 2019. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Anthony Nunez-Pellicer)

Return of annual Soup Supper builds resilience, strengthens community bonds

Published Nov. 28, 2023
By Airman 1st Class Anthony Nunez-Pellicer
319th Reconnaissance Wing Public Affairs

Grand Forks Air Force Base --

Things are warming up before the cool-down of the North Dakota winter season as the annual Soup Supper returned, since last being held in 2019. The event brought together the base community to enjoy ‘chicken soup for the Griffin soul,’ friendly competition and an opportunity to strengthen social resilience.

The Soup Supper was also the inaugural event for the newly organized 319th Reconnaissance Wing Integrated Resilience Office. The IRO the office of primary responsibility to build high-end resilience, with special focus on interpersonal and self-directed violence and manages the Master Resilience Trainer and Resilience Training Assistant program for Grand Forks AFB.

“Creating connections and friendships directly supports our social and mental Comprehensive Airman Fitness domains,” said Denae Grove, director for the 319th IRO. “Wintertime at a northern tier base presents many challenges. Having a local support system, connections and friends we can hang out with helps to decrease potential isolation. Having regularly scheduled activities can help the winter months pass by a little quicker than they would otherwise.”

This year’s event was spearheaded by Tech. Sgt James Johnson Jr., an aerospace technician from the 319th Medical Group and Master Resilience Trainer, who took reigns of the event as the lead coordinator.

“During this season especially, we have an opportunity to come together and fellowship with one another,” said Johnson. “We’re trying to get people out of their locations, out of their homes, out of their dorms just we can congregate as a wing and be together.”

The Soup Supper offered more than just a warm bowl of comfort food, a panel of judges and event attendees voted for their favorite soups to determine which of the 18 entries would reign supreme.

“The judges have a variety of criteria to grade from such as flavor, smell, presentation, sides and so on,” said Johnson. “The contestants can also win the people’s choice by getting the majority votes from attendees.”

The winter months in North Dakota are known for being long and harsh, but the Grove believes the annual event can build community resilience, boost morale and help combat the effects of Seasonal Affective Disorder and depression.

“I believe we achieved our goal this year with over 125 of our community members enjoying an evening of conversation, laughter and fellowship.” Said Grove. “The event was filled with conversation, laughter, a competitive spirit and good company. It was amazing to see so many people join together for a few hours and enjoy just being together.”

Although outdoor activities become limited as temperatures drop and snowfall rises, the IRO and Grand Forks AFB leadership teams are dedicated to ensuring a plethora of activities are available to the base community.

“I’m glad that people can come out and enjoy these cold times by eating together, playing games with each other and just talking to each other,” said Johnson. “This wing has done a lot of great things and I feel like the best is yet to come.”

Congratulations to the people’s choice winner – the 319th Civil Engineer Squadron’s Fire Department, and the judges choice winner – Jennifer Leenen from the 319th Reconnaissance Wing Sexual Assault Prevention Office!

You can find events like the Soup Supper and more from the Wing Events Calendar on the official Grand Forks AFB website: https://www.grandforks.af.mil/Home/Events-Calendar/