Participants posed for large and small group photos along the way, including at the first rest stop. USO Delaware Center Director Joan Cote is standing in the USO shirt, center.
We hope you had a chance to read about a great event that occurred in Delaware this weekend: the 3rd Annual Base 2 Base March! Nearly fifty airmen made the 47-mile trek from the Delaware Air National Guard headquarters in New Castle to the Dover Air Force Base. Along the way they were supported by just one civilian marcher, and that was the USO’s own Joan Cote, Center Director for USO Delaware!
We wanted to share a bit more about this great event, which raised over $1000 for the USO…
The first participant began the march just a couple minutes before 5:00 p.m. Within a few minutes after 5:00 p.m., all marchers departed the air base, with event organizer Tech. Sgt. David Jackson one of the last marchers to leave, keeping an eye on the long line of marchers. Participants included 45 combined Airmen from the active duty 436th Airlift Wing and the Air Force Reserve 512th Airlift Wing, both based at Dover AFB. Also marching were four Airmen from the Delaware Air National Guard’s 166th Airlift Wing.
The 49 Airmen departed Delaware ANG HQ past the main gate and down Spruance Drive, walking in small clusters of one, two, three, four or five Airmen. Nearly every other participant carried a flag, either their unit flag, or an Air Force flag, a USO flag, or a handmade flag.
It was a sunny spring day and the Airmen applied sunscreen, ate snacks and drank fluids before they departed, in addition to carrying a flashlight and a reflective belt for safety, as the march lasted all through the night, too. The large group heard welcome remarks from Colonel Daniel Van Wyk, 166th Maintenance Group Commander, Delaware Air National Guard, and then received a safety briefing from event organizer Tech. Sgt. Jackson. The marchers also heard a few words of encouragement from Chief Master Sgt. Chris Ford, 512th Maintenance Squadron Superintendent, who is also participating in the march.
Congratulations to every one who marched and came out to support USO Delaware. We’ll see you next year!
The marchers - having walked for nearly 22 hours - round the bend into the North Gate at Dover Air Force Base, where a host of sirens and cheers greeted them upon arrival.
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