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Hockey team host Air Force recruits for 'Military Appreciation Day'

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Edmund J. Piper
  • 314th Recruiting Squadron
WILKES-BARRE, Pa. --  Local Air Force recruiting personnel of the 314th Recruiting Squadron, along with Delayed Entry Program members from Northeastern Pennsylvania, were invited to a "Military Appreciation Day" Feb. 23 by the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, a local professional hockey team.

Capt. Nathan Goetsch, 314th RCS operations commander, administered the Oath of Enlistment to the DEP members in front of fans. The event was displayed above the ice and broadcast on local television stations.

The 314th RCS commander, Lt. Col. Ricardo Trimillos, watched with pride as Goetsch recited the oath which was echoed by the young men and women of Pennsylvania.

"I was in awe of the patriotism and good will toward the military and our future Airmen," Trimillos said. "The game was also a great chance to get connected with local veterans."

"It was very gratifying to see the proud faces of our next generation of Airmen as they took the oath in front of their friends, families and the supportive crowd," said Master Sgt. Juan Villarreal, flight chief of the 314th RCS "B" Flight. "The local community showing our future Airmen this kind of support and appreciation makes me proud to be a part of the world's greatest Air Force. It was a great way for us to show the faces of the Air Force to the public while encouraging our young recruits as they begin their journey."

Zachary Titus, a recruit from Sweet Valley, Pa., said "It was so great to do this and see my face on the screens right over the ice. My friends at home watching the game are going to be proud."

During the game crowds of people swarmed the Air Force recruiter's table requesting information about the Air Force or telling stories of their own personal experiences. Many engaged in conversation with Trimillos and Goetsch about the Air Force's technical degree and officer programs while others spoke with local enlisted accession recruiters, Tech. Sgt. E. Jason Piper, Staff Sgt. Timothy Drolet and Staff Sgt. Jeffery Huber.

"This is what recruiting is all about," Drolet said. "My DEP members were filled with a sense of pride and motivated to begin their training after raising their hands in front of such a large audience. It doesn't get any better than this as a recruiter."