Dover Airmen, family members celebrate America's Birthday at White House

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Kevin Wallace
  • 436th AW Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  More than 70 Team Dover Airmen and their families celebrated the 4th of July with President Barack Obama and several other celebrities on the White House's South Lawn July 4.

Though freedom is profound to most Americans, most don't get a chance to celebrate it with their President. Selected Dover members all agreed the 2009 celebration will be a day they'll never forget.

"This was absolutely the best 4th of July I've ever experienced," said Master Sgt. Garcia Brown, 436th Maintenance Operations Squadron Quality Assurance chief inspector, who was accompanied by his wife and daughter to the event. "[This was] just a wonderful, memorable event."

A fellow MOS Airman agreed.

"What an amazing day!" said Staff Sgt. Stephen Hart. "My wife and I agree that there was no better place to celebrate our country's independence than at the White House."
Not just anyone could spend Independence Day with President Obama and one 436th Airlift Wing paralegal discovered this as he neared the President's home.

"As we were walking around the fence to get in line to go into the White
House, there were a lot of people standing outside the gates [asking] the same thing I've thought for years, 'How do I get an invitation to be at the White House for the 4th of July?'" said Tech. Sgt. Antonio Infante, 436th Airlift Wing Legal Office Military Justice NCO-in charge.

Once Sergeant Infante accepted the fact that he and his family were actually at the White House enjoying the special celebration, he was astonished with another surprise - celebrity Jimmy Fallon came up to introduce himself.

"The first thing he said to me was, 'can you believe that we're here taking a
picture at the White House," said Sergeant Infante, shocked that Mr. Fallon was equally as excited to be at the President's home on the 4th.

Entertainment was not in short supply, said Sergeant Infante. In fact, the South Lawn was packed with entertainment all day long.

Sergeant Hart agreed. There was everything from balloon animals to volleyball games, he said.

"They even had Uncle Sam on stilts take pictures for anyone with a camera," said Sergeant Hart, who reveled at the fact that not only did he get the chance to shake the President's hand, he captured it with his digital camera.

Another highlight for Sergeant Hart came in the form of music. The Marine Corps Band was present and played the service song for each military branch, said Sergeant Hart.

"It gave me chills when they played the Air Force song with the President in the background looking out to his dedicated servicemembers," he added.

Sergeant Infante agreed that the Marine Corps Band was phenomenal and described some of the other entertainment.

Michelle Branch and the Foo Fighters were also present to entertain guests.

NCOs and officers were not the only ones impacted by the occasion. Airman 1st Class David Ramos, 436th Aerial Port Squadron, was infused with a dose of pride by meeting his Commander in Chief.

"Meeting [the President] made me feel even more proud in what I do since, as part of the military, we defend our country's freedom and help establish peace with and amongst other nations," said Airman Ramos. "I thank God for giving me this opportunity but overall for giving me the privilege of being part of the world's greatest air force, the U.S. Air Force!"