Bringing holiday cheer

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Lisa Meiman
  • 90th Space Wing Public Affairs
F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo. --  Operation Provide Joy, a holiday party for local children, took place in the Trail's End Club Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon. The event gave Warren Airmen the chance to interact with tomorrow's leaders and children the chance to interact with today's warriors.

Thirty-eight children from Cheyenne ate, watched magic, received presents, a visited Santa and hung out with their very own Warren Airman for the event.

"I'm excited because I get to meet some of the Air Force base people," said James Cleary, one of the children who attended the event. He wants to be a pilot in the Air Force when he grows up.

OPJ is organized by the Salvation Army with help from the base. It has been in the Trail's End every year since 2000. The Salvation Army picks the children and transports them to the base. Base volunteers do the rest.

"I did this at Vandenberg (Air Force Base, Calif.) It was very rewarding when I saw how much fun the kids were having. We get to take them out, give them gifts and let them lose themselves for a day," said 2nd Lt. Paul Castaneda, 319th Missile Squadron, who volunteered to escort one of the children.

Each child received lunch, several gifts and the chance to talk with the Airmen while a trombone band played holiday music. Many children were also sporting officer rank given to them by escorts on their shirts and jackets.

There were local dignitaries on hand, including the Cheyenne Frontier Days royalty Miss Frontier, Katie Landers, and Lady-in-waiting, Kari Ward.

The CFD royalty attend OPJ every year and look forward to hanging out with Cheyenne children and Warren Airmen.

"I think it's a blessing. It's wonderful how the kids are attached to the Airmen. I bet a lot of the kids wish they could take their Airman home," said Melora Blaylock from the Salvation Army.