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SB Bingo - A Guaranteed "Wow!" Event

  • Published
  • By Col. John McDonald
  • 43rd Airlift Wing Commander
POPE AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. --  Good Friday All! As we conclude our first week back following the holidays, and we begin to lay the foundations for a successful 2009, I want you to encourage you to join me and take advantage of an event guaranteed to be absolutely "Wow!" It has become a Pope tradition and one of my favorites; I am talking about Super Bowl Bingo! The "event" is next Saturday, 17 January and there are still tickets available from the Pope Club or the Information, Tickets and Travel office. From its conception at Pope, Super Bowl Bingo has grown bigger and better with each year, and as our event grew, many bases tried duplicating our success, but they have repeatedly failed. It takes them only one try to realize they'll never match what we put together every January; that's why folks literally come from across the country to participate in the original, and best here at Pope! Last year it seemed like the Pope Club was so packed we would have to turn people away.

For more than eight hours we get together with community leaders, family members and former members of Team Pope and we compete for a prize no other base offers: an all-expense-paid trip for two to the Super Bowl! Trust me, when I say "all-expense-paid," I truly mean it. If you're the fortunate winner (because we all know there is no luck in Bingo) you'll receive air fare, a rental car, luxury accommodations at the Sheraton Key Resort, access to the NFL Celebrity Pre-Game Party and the NFL Experience, $500 cash and, most importantly, two tickets to Super Bowl XLIII in Tampa, Fla! This is not only a chance to win some great prizes, but equally as important, it's an opportunity for us to get together as a base community and enjoy an annual event that defines our Pope unique family atmosphere.

This past Monday, I had a chance to show off our most important resource, our prople, to the Senior Staffer for Senator Richard Burr, one of our two senators here in North Carolina since 2005. It does not matter how many dignitaries visit our base, or how many times I show them our day-to-day mission execution, I'm perpetually impressed with the sheer range of impact we have contributing to our nation's combat operations. Additionally, every dignitary that comes through our base says how tremendously impressed they are after spending time visiting with our Airman and touring our units while being oriented to specific mission responsibilities and accomplishments. Always be confident your efforts make a huge difference.

If you didn't read your email last Monday, join me in congratulating Master Sgt. Pedro Lozoya from the 43rd Aerospace Medicine Squadron and Tech. Sgt. Jessica Dozier of the 43rd Operations Support Squadron who's efforts resulted in them being recognized with STEP promotions! These folks represent the best of Team Pope and we all should be proud of their accomplishments. Please seek them out and offer your best wishes!

As with our STEP promotees, I appreciate your many efforts and contributions to the betterment of our organizations. Our over-arching theme for 2009 of Individual Actions Matter is critical as we begin to build for success throughout 2009. It is crucial to "walk the walk," and equally as important I need you to "talk the talk," out loud; I AM responsible, I AM accountable, and I AM going to make a positive difference! Be a positive impact player with Wow! Have an overwhelming attitude that reinforces a commitment to be a difference maker contributing to a Popetastic approach to problem solving where everything is absolutely possible!