Airmen represent Edwards AFB and the AF this Memorial Day Weekend around AV Published May 29, 2012 By Kenji Thuloweit EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Over the Memorial Day Weekend, members from Edwards community participated in several events, to help commemorate the national holiday and kickoff the official start of summer. Maj. Scott Smith, 95th Comptroller Squadron commander, threw out the first pitch of the Lancaster JetHawks game May 26. It was Military Appreciation Night sponsored by the Edwards Federal Credit Union. Anyone wearing a military uniform was admitted free and t-shirts were handed out to the crowd. Smith, along with family and members of the 95th CPTS, were treated to a suite at the game where they had refreshments and snacks. On base, 1st. Lt. Chris Talbot, 95th Electronic Warfare Group, had an idea to help out members of the 95th Security Forces Squadron who had to work over the weekend. While many celebrate the Memorial Day Weekend by enjoying time off and relaxing with friends and family, Edwards AFB has personnel that have to continue the mission. Talbot's idea was to bring the traditional Memorial Day BBQ to them. Members of the William J. "Pete" Knight Chapter of the Air Force Association set up operations at the 95th SFS, and as the Defenders came on or left their weekend shifts, there was a smile, a cold drink, a hamburger and hot dog with all the trimmings waiting for them. It is estimated that close to 200 were fed. There were interesting exchanges of "thank you's" as the well-fed defenders thanked the AFA, who were there solely to thank the SFS personnel. Airman, Sailors, Marines and Soldiers visited Rancho Vista Elementary School May 25. Borrowing a page from the military handbook, the school kept the event a surprise from 800-plus students. Twenty honorees stood in formation while school officials pulled the fire alarm which brought students outside to see the set-up for the first time which consisted of an American Flag, the honorees, a local reporter, and the school staff. The Honorees were treated to a morning feast provided by the school staff, given rotating classroom schedules, then spent the morning talking to students about subjects ranging from "What Memorial Day means" to "How Life in the Military was for Each." The special day ended with honorees signing yearbooks and being "Thanked for their Service" over and over again. Lt. Col. Jeffrey Mabry, Global Vigilance Combined Test Force director of operations, participated in the event. In Bakersfield, 2nd Lt. Danial Sharpe, Air Force Flight Test Center, spoke at the Cal State Bakersfield observance, at the campus' Memorial Grove May 28. "Enjoy and celebrate today; be happy and make use of the freedom we have grown to call normal life. But as you do, be sure to remind yourself how this came to be our normal lives, and why that has never been interrupted. This is not meant to be a sad day; it's a day of remembrance, and thanks. Thank a veteran, and thank their spouse for their support too. Pause to consider how many can't be with us, and people who miss them every day," said Sharpe, during his speech.