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Show HILLTOP TIMES Picnic From 1 from overseas deployment following the events of 9/11," says Barbara Riddle, Salute Picnic chair of the Top of Utah Military Affairs Executive Committee. "Subsequent annual Salute Our Nation's Defenders Picnics have been held recognizing those military that have recently returned, are getting ready to go, or will go and return in the future - a 'salute' to all the military and their families." Guests were warmly welcomed to the picnic with flags and signs of thankfulness for those who have served and are serv- ing. Children were wideeyed as they explored the maze of inflatables - some even included water and were great ways to beat the heat on this sunny day. Live music and playful banter from the band, Red Pony, entertained picnicgoers as they enjoyed a delicious, catered meal that included jumbo watermelon slices, refreshing ALEX R. LLOYD/ U.S. Air Force Dylan Oberg likes what he sees after getting his face painted during the 2014 Salute to our Nation's Defenders Picnic. TIMES July 24, 2014 5 "Our TOUMAC members enjoy volunteering at this event in serving up the food and busing tables to ensure a fun afternoon for all," says Riddle. This picnic is planned "as a way for our community to say thanks to the airmen at Hill Air Force Base for their great service to our country." SARAH STOLL/Hilltop Times Picnic attendees enjoyed a delicious, catered meal on July 18th. The meal included ice cold drinks, large slices of watermelon, and delicious desserts. SARAH STOLL/Hilltop Times SARAH STOLL/Hilltop Times The picnic boasted nine inflatables for children to enjoy. summer desserts, ice cold drinks, and a beer tent. TOUMAC hosted this special event with the support of some key sponsors such as Zion's Bank, America First Credit Union, Gastronomy, Inc., CenturyLink, Davis Hospital and Medical Center, and many others. Volunteers cheerfully prepared, served, and cleaned up after this large event. Hilltop The band, Red Pony, offered live music and playful banter for guests while enjoying their picnic dinner. Heroes From 1 members who are deploying. Volunteers iron specially printed photos and pin them to dolls or pillow cases for sewing. The dolls have cut out pieces of donated uniforms on the back as a special part of this gift. Once the photos are sewn on and the doll forms are shaped, volunteers stuff the dolls, hand sew them shut, and call the families to whom they belong. The project became personal for both leaders when their husbands were deployed. "The value of the project was brought home to me during the time my husband deployed. I created a stuffed pillow with my husband's picture on it for my son. He called it 'Stuffed Daddy' and slept with it every night," said Schmierer. For Tammy, the thought of children receiving their doll with excitement is enough to make her emotional, "Deployment/separation is a hard time for the whole family and if something as little as a doll or pillowcase that somewhat represents their mom/dad that is gone makes them a little happier then that makes me happy. My children received them when my husband deployed a few years ago - my daughter had an extremely hard time with the separation and she carried her 'daddy bear' everywhere. Now that he is home we don't see the bear too often unless he goes TDY or something and then the 'daddy bear' makes his appearance again." Hill Heroes is also involved with the retreats at Wolf Creek. SARAH STOLL/Hilltop Times ABOVE: Volunteers iron, stuff, and sew deployment dolls and pillowcases on July 18, in the Hill Air Force Base Airman and Family Readiness Center. BELOW: All ages and skill levels can help the Hill Heroes every third Friday of the month to create deployment dolls and pillowcases. Children on summer break have enjoyed helping to create these special dolls for other children who might be going through a difficult time while their parent is away on a deployment. "Families attending the retreat can order stuffed pillows, which are sewn but not stuffed. Volunteers schedule a time during the retreat for the kids to stuff the pillows and we encourage the parents to try their hand at sewing them shut," said Schmierer. "We get to watch the kids walk away with 'mom or dad pillows' tightly held in their arms. It is also a chance to say thank you to a family for serving." During 2013, the program made 357 items. This year has the potential to be a record breaking year with a number of groups deploying - 358 items have already been created thus far. "Each volunteer does a part of the work where they feel comfortable. Some don't sew with machines or needles so they iron, stuff, cut, or make calls for us," said Schmierer. "Each task is needed to complete the orders... We welcome any help we are offered. Some people with young children come for a short time while others make it a point to be there each month until we finish. Anyone who has access to the base is welcome to come and help out." Anyone interested in helping with the efforts should contact Tammy Allen at stmksjallen@ yahoo.com for more information, or to be added to the monthly meeting notification list. All skill levels and ages are welcome! |