Kingsley Members Volunteer Their Time

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Jennifer Shirar
  • 173rd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
Three Oregon Air National Guardsman from Kingsley Field volunteered a few hours of their time to assist with the annual crowning of the Rose Queen at Plum Ridge Marquis Care, a local retirement home, April 8, 2011.

Lieutenant Col. Robert Erickson, State Director of Air Operations, Tech. Sgt. Michael Shirar, 173rd Fighter Wing Maintenance Training Manager, and Airman 1st Class Jesse Phillips-Mead, 270th Air Traffic Control Squadron helped crown a new Rose Queen for 2011.

Erickson and Shirar acted as escorts for the nominees Mrs. Joanne Hollenbeak and Irene Dalton, while Phillips-Mead accompanied the reigning 2010 Rose Queen Mrs. Jessie Spillane. They assisted the ladies to the stage and presented them with their crowns and a beautiful bouquet of fresh flowers.

When they announced Mrs. Joanne Hollenbeak as the 2011 Rose Queen, her eyes welled up with tears and Erickson quickly retrieved a tissue for her.

"It is very important that we find ways to give back to the community that has given so much to us over the years," said Erickson. "Members of the 173rd Fighter Wing are woven into the very fabric of the Klamath Basin. This is just one more small way to show our appreciation for the support that the citizens Klamath County show us every day."

Volunteer opportunities like this are not only beneficial to the local community; they are an excellent chance for Airman to develop as an individual.

"This was an opportunity for self growth and to enhance positive relations with the surrounding community," noted Phillips-Mead.

The Rose Queen Coronation is held annually and according to the Marquis Care official website, "The event celebrates age, wisdom, wit and lives of senior ladies who currently make their home in a Marquis facility."

"The Rose Queen is someone who gives of their time and effort to organize and support programs that help others. It's the least we can do to support them and we we're very happy to do it," said Shirar. "It was a lot of fun. I very much enjoyed talking with all of the members of the Rose Queen Court. These folks have a depth of life experience and were very happy to share some it with us."

If you are interested in volunteering in the community watch the weekly WINGS for various events that arise or contact any member of the Junior Enlisted Council for additional opportunities. Check out the JENC Sharepoint site, found under Internal Links on the base home-page to volunteer.