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Junior service members celebrate Dorm-a-Palooza

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Sean M. Crowe
  • Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Public Affairs
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. --  The Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Dorm Council hosted Dorm-a-Palooza July 26, 2013, here to provide a recreation outlet for junior-enlisted dorm dwellers.

Junior service members gathered at noon in the area between dorms 2719 and 2720 to enjoy free food and drinks, live music, volleyball and other activities.

The First Sergeants' Association, Burlington County Military Affairs Committee, commissary vendors, United Communities, Tommy B. Heritage Foundation and Andrews Federal Credit Union were the local organizations who donated approximately $3,000 total to the First Four and Dorm Council to host the event.

The local organizations made the event possible despite the fiscal constraints of sequestration. Activities including fun runs, cultural events and get-togethers.

"We wanted to spread the word and help our Airmen raise money for the event," said Master Sgt. Gregory Neuberger, 817th Contingency Response Group first sergeant. "We guided the First Four members, but they are the ones who put in the hard work to make this event happen."

The First Four and Dorm Council comprise junior service members who organize recreational and volunteer opportunities for the base's junior service members E-4 and below.

"It's been hard work getting all the details ironed out but, it all came together in the end and was well worth it," said Airman 1st Class Josh Krueger, 32nd Air Refueling Squadron boom operator. "We wanted to give all the junior enlisted service members a chance to get out of the dorms, relax and have a good time."

The event was the second annual Dorm-a-Palooza. The current First Four and Dorm Council leaders took notes from the previous leaders to come-up with activities for the event.

"The council leaders spent about two months planning and organizing Dorm-a-Palooza," said Airman 1st Class Anna Golokhova, 305th Air Mobility Wing knowledge operations manager. "Our leaders' support helped us on the way and the sponsors really made this happen in the end."

Other featured activities included a senior-leader dunk tank, sumo wrestling, bean bag toss and a disc jockey performance.

"Dorm-a-Palooza was a great morale boost for us," said Airman 1st Class William Mensah, 32nd ARS boom operator. "I really needed this because we haven't had many events like this lately. It was also a huge plus to dunk my chief in a water tank."

The event wound down at 9 p.m. and everyone made their way home.

"We plan to make this an annual event from here out," said Krueger. "Everybody gives us input and the consensus seems to be that they enjoy it; who doesn't want free food after all?"