Dining out recalls heritage, boosts camaraderie Published Sept. 9, 2013 By Maj. Colleen VanNatta 910 Airlift Wing Public Affairs WARREN, Ohio -- "To the mess!" said Col. James Dignan, 910th Airlift Wing commander, before partaking of the time-honored grog tradition at the 910th Airlift Wing's Air Force Birthday Dining Out, Sept. 8, here. He visited the grog for a bow tie that was slightly askew--a violation of rule No. 13 of the mess. Steeped in military tradition dating back to King Arthur's knights and General H.H. "Hap" Arnold's "wing-dings" in the 1930s, this Dining Out's purpose was no different. "It gave our wing a chance to socialize and strengthen relationships outside the shop," said Senior Master Sgt. Robert Fisher II, Cyber Systems Superintendant, 910th Communications Squadron. "Events like these build unit cohesion and esprit de corps." The evening began with the posting of the colors, national anthem and benediction. In a sobering ceremony, the Honor Guard remembered the missing and imprisoned Service members at the obviously vacant Prisoner of War/Missing in Action table, laying each branch's service cap on their empty plates. "This tradition is an important part of our dining out because it gives a chance to remember those who paid the ultimate price...who may still be paying that price...for our freedoms," said Capt. Scott Allen, 910th Mission Support Group Commander's executive officer. The dining out tradition has a set of rules and regulations that must be adhered to throughout the event. Violations of the dining out protocol result in members being sent to the "Grog Bowl," a concoction of various (sometimes unappealing) beverages mixed together and served in a (clean) toilet bowl. Rules range from only showing approval by tapping spoons on the table (not clapping), to consuming ones meal in a manner becoming a gentle person. As with all good things...they must come to an end. After a very robust "grogging" portion of the evening with many good-natured mess infractions identified and many visits to the grog bowl, the president (Dignan) closed the grog. A highlight of the evening was guest speaker, Terry Aitken, senior curator of the National Museum of the United States Air Force at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. He recounted the stellar accomplishments of the Air Force Reserve, reminding Airmen that only nine months after the Air Force became a separate service, it was able to conduct the Berlin Airlift, moving 2.3 million tons of supplies and equipment. "This ability to carry out the Berlin Airlift shortly after our umbilical cord was cut from the Army Air Corps was really phenomenal," Aitken said, "but when we think about our accomplishments, we can't forget about the humanity of the Airmen who did those missions." When selecting aircraft to display in the museum, he said they select tail numbers of aircraft with real stories about real Airmen. He encouraged Youngstown Air Reserve Station members to make the trip to Dayton to tour the museum and become reacquainted with our history in a real, human way. The enjoyment factor of the event came as a pleasant surprise to Airman Ramon Hernandez, Security Forces Squadron member, who was attending his first dining out. "I was worried about going with so many high-ranking officers and just was planning to find a corner and hide," he said. "I was surprised by how friendly it was and how we were encouraged to talk to everyone. It was a great time." "This was as much about remembering our history, heritage and traditions as it was about fellowship and camaraderie," said Lt. Col. Wes White, 910th Security Force Squadron commander and dining out project officer. "It's important to use these events to reflect on our past as we move forward."