Pilots carry on Christmas tradition

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. David Dobrydney
  • 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
DUXFORD IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUM, England --  When the U.S. Army Air Forces first arrived at RAF Duxford in 1943, they decided to hold a Christmas party for 500 local children.

Sixty-eight years later, Duxford is now a museum, and the Air Force is still hosting a Christmas party for children.

For the past three years, the parties have been sponsored by the 492nd Fighter Squadron from RAF Lakenheath on behalf of the Starlight Foundation, a charity organization that works with children from local hospitals.

The party was coordinated by Capt. Rex Harnell, 492nd FS pilot, Capt. Annie Driscoll, 56th Rescue Squadron director of training, and Natalie Etue, spouse of Capt. Daniel Etue. More than 40 volunteers turned out to set up snacks, games, craft activities and gifts for each of the 50 children who attended.

"Each year it gets a little bigger and a little better," Driscoll said. "I feel very honored to be here."

Driscoll's comments were echoed by Jessica Jeske, public events officer at Duxford, who provided a liaison between the museum and the Airmen and spouses. Jeske has worked with the 492nd FS to set up their previous Christmas parties. She said they're different in tone from coordinating the museum's annual American Air Day.

"Here the focus is on the children and giving them a really nice time," Jeske said.

That focus was evident from the moment the first family came in the door. Every child was provided a name tag they could decorate and invited to play games, try on real flight gear and even take rides in a wheelbarrow disguised as an F-15 fighter aircraft.

"It's brilliant, the fact that they take time to put smiles on [the children's] faces," said Trevor Broome, who shared a father and son portrait with his 9-year son Ellis wearing matching flight jackets.

"He thoroughly enjoyed it," said Ellis' mother Sara. "He does like his planes."

Other parents agreed that the 492nd FS Airmen provided a much-needed change of pace.

"It's a nice outing, something not in the hospital," said Leni Demmers, mother of Mariska, 12, and Karsten, 10.

Bianca Green, hospital services manager for the Starlight Foundation, said many of the families at the party often don't have time for fun outings when a child has a serious illness.

"They make a huge difference because a lot of these families are either going through treatment or have just finished treatment," Green said. "We're saying 'look, forget about all the hospital visits, forget about the appointments, just come out and have fun as a family.'"

The big hit of the party was the group caroling, which heralded the arrival of Santa Claus and the distribution of the gifts.

"Everyone in the squadron took it upon themselves to sponsor a kid and get them a present," Harnell said. "We're just saying they came from Santa."

For 8-year-old Bradley Taylor-Buglione, this was his first time at the 492nd FS Christmas party. His favorite part of the party was seeing Father Christmas and receiving his gift.

When asked where he'd like to go next Christmas if he had a choice, Bradley said "I'd say go to the party at Duxford."