Bears, Barbecue and Baseball

  • Published
  • By Joy Ovington
  • Air University Public Affairs
MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. --  There are two events this week to honor River Region's military community. Wednesday is Military Zoo Day and June 13 is Military Appreciation Night for the Montgomery Biscuits baseball game at Riverwalk Stadium.

All military personnel and their families are invited to attend the appreciation day from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Montgomery Zoo. This event is not only free to all active military personnel and their families, but also to retirees, with a valid military ID. "When they arrive at the zoo, they can present their enlisted military ID and receive a wristband which serves as a ticket," said Patricia Goodwin of 42nd Services Division.

Sponsored by the Montgomery Chamber of Commerce, the Wright Flyers, the Montgomery Zoo, the City of Montgomery, Regions Mortgage and Northrop Grumman, entry to the Mann Museum and lunch is available at no cost for an anticipated 2,500 guests, according to Jimmy Lisenby, director of Food Services for the City of Montgomery.

"Lunch is sponsored by Jim 'N Nicks Barbeque, and we'll have hot dogs cooked by the Wright Flyers volunteer group and ice cream," he said. "The lunch begins at 11:45 a.m. and lasts until 2 p.m."

Established in 1920, the Montgomery Zoo is home to 700 species of animals from elephants and lions to birds and otters and encompasses nearly 50 acres of habitat for the animals.

The zoo receives more than 260,000 guests annually, according to Mr. Lisenby.

The most recent addition to the zoo is the Mann Wildlife Learning Museum. The air-conditioned museum contains 28,000 square feet of exhibits dedicated to wildlife conservation. Attendees are invited to tour the museum free of charge during the celebration. The museum includes a new frog exhibit with 50 different types of amphibians and an aquarium with stingrays.

Military members and their dependants can also to enjoy a free ride on the miniature train that takes passengers around the zoo to see several of the popular animals.

The zoo is located at 2301 Coliseum Parkway, between Lower Wetumpka Road and Coliseum Blvd. in Montgomery.

Military Appreciation Night
The Montgomery Biscuits baseball team, a minor league Class AA affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays, will honor the nation's military in their annual appreciation night.  Riverwalk Stadium is located at 200 Coosa St. Gates - open at 5:50 p.m.

At 7:05 p.m. the team will challenge the Chattanooga Lookouts, with pre-game activities starting at 6:45 p.m.

Sherry Calloway, manager of Maxwell's Information, Ticket and Travel office, said, "They'll salute those who serve with all the pomp and circumstance you'd expect, plus a few things that are unique to Montgomery. We still have a good number of tickets left, and we started out with 1,500. We invite everyone to stop by and purchase their tickets here at $5 each."

Pre-game activities for the event include an F-16 fly-over performed by the 187th Fighter Wing of the Alabama Air National Guard, posting of the colors by the Maxwell Air Force Base Honor Guard and entertainment for kids by the Air Force Reserve Recruiting's "mascots," Airman Andy and the Eagle.

"The Air Force will also welcome its newest Airmen in an enlistment ceremony on the field before the game, and more than 80 officer trainees from Maxwell's Officer Training School will line the field during the National Anthem and Oath of Office," said Ms. Warr.

Fans are able to show their support for the military as each organization in attendance stands for applause as theirs service name flashes on the scoreboard and is read aloud over the public announcement system. At the conclusion of the game, Max Credit Union will treat fans to a "fireworks spectacular."

To find out more information on either event, contact  Ms.Warr at lisa.warr@maxwell.af.mil.