Summer ends with a bash

  • Published
  • By Maj. Shannon Mann
  • 916th Public Affairs Office
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. --  The 911th Air Refueling Squadron has always known how to throw a good party. From chili cook-offs to crazy Christmas gatherings, their fun always includes ways to give so that they can give back.

In August, the Red Eagles Booster Club sponsored a summer water bash at Lions Water Adventure in Kinston. The water park, which just opened this year, was reserved for just 911th members and their families, but they gladly extended the invitation to include their Reserve brethren.

Master Sgt. Heather Mousseau, one of the event's organizers, explained that the squadron usually throws a summer picnic, but with sequestration and furloughs hitting their Reserve counterparts they initially thought about postponing their event.

"We found out that the water park was available for exclusive parties on Saturday nights and it had a capacity of 1,500 people," said Mousseau. "These facts led us to schedule the event during a unit training assembly weekend so all of our 911th/916th family would be able to enjoy it."

A lazy river, water slides and a raffle drawing were available for the nearly 250 people that attended. Concession costs were reasonable and the setting was the perfect place for trying to beat the late summer heat.

The boosters plan to do the event again next year.

"We had a great night, but due to rain we had to shut everything down at 7:30 pm," said Mousseau.

She explained that since the event closed early due to weather the water park offered them a discount for next year.

"We have talked about doing the same thing again next summer and trying to make this a tradition," she said.