Happy birthday, McGuire Airmen Published Sept. 18, 2007 By Senior Airman Danielle Johnson 305th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs MCGUIRE AFB, N.J. -- Banners were flying, balloons were floating and McGuire Airmen were greeted with smiles and wishes of "Happy birthday" at the Halvorsen Hall Dining Facility here today. The lunch-time celebration in honor of the Air Force's 60th Anniversary included comments by Col. Rick Martin, 305th Air Mobility Wing commander, George Watson, one of the original Tuskegee Airmen, and Zack Roberts, a former prisoner of war. Every year, Halvorsen Hall traditionally holds a birthday meal for McGuire Airmen every September. This year's celebration was significant because it emphasized the Air Force's 60th Anniversary theme "Heritage to Horizons." "Tradition is a big part of our heritage," said Tech. Sgt. Katherine Coyle, Halvorsen Hall Dining Facility manager. "We need to remember that we started off as a part of something else and (60 years ago) it became evident that we were a different service and needed to branch off. We have the best Air Force in the world. Even though we are just 60-years young, we've come so far." Officers and senior NCOs from around the base volunteered to work the event, serving up the menu, which included lemon-herbed fish, orange-glazed chicken, steak and, of course, birthday cake.