Fall Festivities

Well it has been a very fun and festive couple of weeks for the Civil Engineer Squadron at RAF Lakenheath! The cooler weather began to arrive, the leafs continue to change into reds, yellows, and orange, and the sun begins to set around 4pm. The rain is scarce, but the cool breeze isn’t usually very far away, so its definitely time to pull out the gloves, scarf’s, and heavier coats. Jonny and I find ourselves dressing in layers, used to the Colorado weather, but we’re now adjusting to sweaters and long sleeved heavy shirts on a daily basis =) The CE Spouses group that I participate in planned a Halloween Party October 30th at Jonny’s fire station that was a total blast. Jonny and I volunteered together at the “Eyeball Hunt” booth, where kids would stick their hands into a large bowl or spaghetti noodles and olive oils, and search blindly for small bouncy balls to win a small prize. We had a blast watching their little faces scrunch up in either disgust or excitement once their hands entered the bowl of goo. There were other games and activities such as a Jack-o-lantern bean bag toss and Halloween Tattoos. Then of course, for the adult entertainment, there was the Great Donut Challenge. Three “higher ups” from various CE shops were in a contest where they had to each eat two messy donuts, that were hanging from the ceiling, on their knees, with their hands behind their backs. One poor soul was the Assistant Chief of Jonny’s fire department, MSgt Clardy. Jonny was the one to set up the donuts from the ceiling earlier that day, so he made sure they were just slightly out of reach to make the whole contest much more hilarious for all of us viewers. Video cameras were out and recording, and camera flashes were flashing non-stop the whole time. I think those images will be enough to tide the Airmen over until the next Donut Challenge!
Last night was surely a memorable evening as well, it was the CE Squadron Dining-Out Event. The Dining-Out traditionally represents the most formal aspects of military social life. Historically the purpose is to bring together members of a squadron in an atmosphere of camaraderie, good fellowship, and social rapport. The basic idea is to enjoy yourself and the company. It was a mix of Enlisted Airmen, Officers, and spouses/guests. I spent the day running around getting ready with hair, nails, and make-up, while Jonny got ready by ironing his blues. The easy thing about a military hair cut! It began with a cocktail hour or so at the bar, then after the dinner bells were rung, we proceeded into the dining hall for dinner, dessert, speeches, and The Grog. Something that we didn’t expect however were the rules of “The Mess”, but everyone had a great time with it, some a little more great than others, once the meal had started. The dinner consisted of 19 rules, which MUST be obeyed, and if you were caught breaking one, it was “To The Grog!”
*Thou shalt arrive at least 10 minutes before the appointed hour for the "Call to Order."
*Thou shalt not sit before the dinner bells are rung.

* Thou shalt not place any drink on the table before dinner bells are rung.
* Thou shalt make every effort to meet all guests. * Thou shalt move to the mess when thee hear the chimes and remain standing until seated by the President. (Lt. Col of 48th CE Squadron)

*Thou shalt not leave the mess whilst convened. Military protocol overrides all calls of nature.
* Thou shalt participate in all toasts unless thyself or thy group is honored with a toast.

* Thou shalt ensure that thy glass is always charged when toasting.
* Thou shalt keep toasts and comments within the limits of good taste and mutual respect. Degrading or insulting remarks will be frowned upon by the membership. However, good-natured needling is ENCOURAGED. (ABOVE: Jonny's Station AC & SSgt)
* Thou shalt not murder the Queen's English.
* Thou shalt not open the hangar doors.

* Thou shalt consume thy meal in a manner becoming gentlepersons.

* Thou shalt fall into disrepute with thy peer if thy cummerbund's pleats are not properly faced.

* Thou shalt be painfully regarded if thy clip-on bow tie rides at an obvious list. Thou shalt be forgiven, however, if thee also ride at a comparable list.

* Thou shalt not laugh at ridiculously funny comments unless the President first shows approval by laughing.

(Above: Lt. Col. Baker of the 48th CE Squadron, AKA PRESIDENT)

* Thou shalt express thy approval by tapping thy spoon on the table. Clapping of thy hands will not be tolerated.
* Thou shalt not question the decisions of the President.

* Thy bar will be closed during dinner.

* When the mess adjourns, thou shalt rise and wait for the President and guests to leave.

* Thou shalt enjoy thyself to thy fullest.
A few, well, quite a few, Airmen were sent to The Grog when a firedog, Amn Williams, mentioned a rule violation, that the EOD shop had not fully introduced themselves to him, violating rule #3. Thou shalt make every effort to meet all guests. The Lt.Col. agreed in Amn. Williams, sending all of the EOD shop to The Grog, but then after, decided, that maybe the firedogs didn’t put forth enough effort in meeting the EOD shop, so all were at fault, and sent to The Grog. Now, you are probably wondering what in the heck is The Grog? The Grog, or Grog Bowl, consists of a toilet bowl on a pedestal, filled with various kinds of liquor. Last night’s grog bowl was filled with rum, vodka, some pink juice, and peppermint schnapps. Had QUITE the bite! Must not have been too bad though, because many people called out rule violations so they could make a trip up the bowl. Furthermore, there is a small sequence which had to be followed upon every trip made to the grog. The individual, or shop, in many cases, had to approach the Lt. Col, salute, fill the cup of grog and toast “To The Mess!”, drink the whole cup without removing it from their lips, then put the cup upside down on top of their head to show that it is empty. Turn and salute the Lt. Col again, (many actually did WITH the cup still on their head) then were dismissed to return to their seat. Like I said, made for quite a tasty, entertaining evening!

ABOVE: Jonny, right, Amn Williams, far left, at The Grog

Well as the holidays grow near, decorations, food, and themed markets are close to beginning! They start with Christmas a little earlier here than we do, because they obviously don’t celebrate the Thanksgiving Holiday =) So this upcoming weekend will be another Holiday Bazaar at RAF Mildenhall, which is roughly a 5-10 minute drive from RAF Lakenheath. Then in about two weeks Holiday Markets will start to pop up all over the UK and Europe! We’ve heard England hosts some really nice German Holiday Markets with special gifts, decorations, foods and drink, as well as Medieval and Traditional Markets too!

(Left: My friend Amy and I; Right: Jonny and David)