Airmen fortunate, have more than one family

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Katherine Holt
  • 6th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
MACDILL AFB, Fla. --  Five pieces of 4x8 cardboard, two rolls of duct tape, two box cutters, and three hours was all participants in MacDill's Outdoor and Recreation's Annual Cardboard Boat Regatta had to build a boat at the base beach Nov. 20.

Five-man teams were scattered up and down the shoreline working tirelessly on their boat designs. Most teams were hoping for a win, others hoped for a miracle.

In any other story that would be speculation, but I am going to tell this story through my eyes.

Last year I was a spectator of the Regatta and I only got to see the end products of everyone's hard work. Being a part of a team shed some light on what it takes to make a boat made of cardboard and duct tape float.

Building a boat takes team work, trust and an even distribution of responsibility. Most teams took advantage of the allotted time, building until the very last minute.

As we made our way into the water, I could feel my stomach turning with anticipation. I wasn't going to be a paddler, but I was anxious for my teammates. I was anxious to show off all of the boat that we built as a team, an office and a family.

For me, the Year of the Air Force Family takes on multiple meanings. I have my mother, father, sister, and my now two month old son; but I also have my Air Force Family. Events like the Annual Boat Regatta are Air Force Family events.

I spent time with three individuals in my office that have recently returned from a deployment. Due to mission requirements and personal requirements, we haven't been unable to catch up. The Regatta gave us time to do just that. The Regatta also gave our office a chance to welcome in a new Airman.

We are all a family. We all came together on Nov. 20 to put on a successful Boat Regatta. I encourage all units to have one team enter next year's race.