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75th Anniversary Celebration News & Notes
Intro

I’d like to take this opportunity to provide you with some additional details and instructions to assist you during what promises to be an amazing three days celebrating the 75th Anniversary of the United States Air Force Honor Guard.

Accessing Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling Base JBAB (formerly Bolling AFB)

  • Individuals who possess a valid DoD issued ID may access JBAB through either the Main Gate (located in front of building P-20) or through the South Gate located by the Visitor Center.

  • The Main Gate closes at 8pm on Friday and will not reopen until early Monday morning.

  • After 8pm on Friday, anyone attempting to enter or exit JBAB, must go through the South Gate.

  • Individuals who DO NOT possess a DoD issued ID may only access JBAB via the South Gate (directions to the South Gate and overhead maps are provided below).

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DO NOT ATTEMPT TO ACCESS JBAB THROUGH THE MAIN GATE IF YOU

DO NOT HAVE A DOD ISSUED ID

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  • The names of attendees who do not possess a valid DoD issued ID and who successfully filled out and submitted the Base Access Form were submitted to the Visitor Center.  In turn, the Visitor Center created the official JBAB USAFHG 75th Anniversary Celebration Entry Access List (EAL).  The EAL (List #61) will only be accessible to base security personnel at the South Gate.

  • Once you arrive at the South Gate, it is imperative that you present the same form of ID that you provided when you filled out your Base Access Form

  • Present the JBAB Security Professional at the SOUTH GATE with your ID and tell them that your name is on LIST #61.

  • They will check your ID against the information on the EAL, you will be granted permission to enter the base and proceed to your event.

  • Everyone who submitted the base access form was granted access.

  • In the event you do not possess a valid DoD issued ID and your name is NOT on the list, don’t panic.  There will be personnel from the HG at the South Gate or on call to come assist you and get you on to the base.

  • Please allow extra time to get through security, expect delays, and be patient.  This will be especially true for those of you planning to attend the Building Dedication Ceremony on Friday morning, June 23rd at 8am.  This is one of the busiest times to access the base and may result in significant delays.  Plan ahead and arrive early.

  • For those of you driving your personally operated vehicle on base, make sure you have your driver’s license with you, a valid vehicle registration, and proof of insurance..

Directions To The Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling (JBAB) South Gate

  • FROM WASHINGTON AND POINTS NORTH: Take I-395 North, across the Potomac River, using the center lanes. Continue on 295 south to exit 2.  Take South Capitol St south and proceed past the Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling Base Main Gate to the South Gate.  Turn right at the first traffic light onto Chappie James Blvd.  The South Gate is less than a half mile past the Main Gate on the right hand side.

  • FROM THE BELTWAY AND POINTS SOUTH: Take I-295 North (first exit from the Woodrow Wilson Bridge on Maryland side - bear right after exit). Take exit 1, towards Naval Research Laboratory.  Take a right at the traffic light at the bottom of the ramp on to Overlook Ave SW.  Follow Overlook Ave through two traffic lights or approximately a half mile.  At the second traffic light, turn slight left Chappie James Blvd which is the entrance to JBAB and is where the South Gate entrance located.

  • Once you successfully access the base, there are two primary USAFHG 70th Anniversary Reunion event locations:

    • The USAF Honor Guard Campus

    • The Bolling Club (formerly the Bolling Officer’s Club)

Directions to the USAF Honor Campus from the JBAB South Gate:

  • Proceed through the South Gate as directed by base security personnel

  • Observe and obey posted speed limits

  • Continue on Chappie James Blvd for approximately 1 mile

  • Turn right onto MacDill Blvd which is located directly in front of the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA)

  • Turn left at the next traffic light onto Brookley Ave SW

  • Building P-20 and the USAFHG Campus are located on the right after you turn onto Brookley Ave

  • Take either the first or second right to find available event parking

South Gate to USAFHG.jpg
Directions to the Bolling Club from the JBAB South Gate:

  • Proceed through the South Gate as directed by base security personnel

  • Take the first right through the gate onto Duncan St SW (Note the 20 MPH)

  • Proceed approximately one half mile

  • Turn right onto Theisen St - the Bolling Club will be on your left at the top of the hill

  • There is ample parking directly in front of the club, beside the club, and behind the club

South Gate to BOLLING CLUB.jpg
Event Check-In:

  • We’ve made it extremely easy for you and your guests to check-in once you’ve successfully accessed the base and you’ve arrived at your event location (either the USAFHG Campus or the Bolling Club).

  • Each event will have a check-in table prominently positioned as you arrive at the event location.

  • Registered current and former USAFHG members will be issued an envelope containing tickets for you and all of your guests for the events you purchased tickets to attend.

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  • There will be a check-in table at each event with a complete list of all registered attendees, just in case you lose or misplace your tickets. 

  • You and your guests will also be given a blank nametag and asked to write your name and the years you were assigned to the USAFHG.

Individual Event Information:
Dickens Hall Building Dedication

  • The ceremony starts promptly at 8am, rain or shine.

  • Don't be late for this EPICALLY historic event as the Department of the Air Force honors Air Force Honor Guard LEGEND and former Superintendent CMSgt (ret) Timmothy M. Dickens by dedicating and renaming Ceremonial Hall in his honor.

  • This an extremely rare honor that is bestowed to a select few, highly deserving, and exceptional individuals

  • Plan to arrive early.  This one of the busiest times for traffic attempting to access the base.  Expect significant delays.

  • DoD ID holders feel free to use either the Main Gate or the South Gate.  

  • Visitors without valid DoD issued IDs must access the base via the South Gate.

  • Present the JBAB Security Professional at the SOUTH gate with your ID and tell them that your name is on LIST #61.

The Sports-Themed Icebreaker / Social:

  • Friday June 23rd from 6pm to 9pm at the Bolling Club in the Capital Dining Room located on the first floor

  • Kickoff the weekend with a festive Sports-themed party

  • Put on your favorite team's jersey, hat, t-shirt or whatever you have to rep your squad and join us for food and fun as we welcome home the USAFHG family

  • Entertainment and music will be provided by a professional DJ

  • Appetizers and heavy hors d’oeuvres will be served during the event

  • Full cash bar available

  • The AFHGA and the USAFHG Booster club will have 75th Anniversary, USAFHG, and AFHGA merchandise available to purchase

  • There will also be numerous silent auction and raffle items for you to bid on (winners will be announced on Saturday night at the conclusion of the 75th Anniversary Dinner)

  • Unfortunately we will only be able to accommodate attendees who have already purchased their tickets for this event.  Tickets will not be available for purchase at the door.

  • We are expecting 225 attendees for this event.

AFHGA State of the Association Presentation

  • The President of the Air Force Honor Guard Association will provide a brief overview of the State of the Association from 0900 to 1000 in the USAFHG Commanders Conference Room

  • Subject areas will include current membership levels, financial status, expenditures, initiatives, planned events, schedule milestones, and upcoming election info

  • Current AFHGA members and all interested parties are welcome and encourage to attend

The 75th Anniversary USAFHG Alumni Picnic:

  • Saturday, June 24th from 10am to 2pm at the USAFHG Campus - rain or shine

  • It’s an old fashioned, family-friendly picnic featuring snow cone and cotton candy machines, an inflatable water slide, a volleyball court, and outdoor games for kids of all ages

  • You’ll enjoy a catered luncheon from Mission BBQ with all the fixings and refreshments

  • Relax and reconnect with friends in the air conditioned confines of Ceremonial Hall (which will be renamed Dickens Hall by then) or relax and connect with friends under one of the many large tents that will be set up directly beside Dickens Hall for your comfort and enjoyment

  • The AFHGA and the USAFHG Booster club will have a selection of 75th Anniversary, USAFHG, and AFHGA merchandise available to purchase

  • There will also be numerous silent auction and raffle items for you to bid on (winners will be announced on Saturday night at the conclusion of the 75th Anniversary Dinner)

  • We are expecting approximately 400 attendees for this event

The 75th Anniversary Dinner:

  • Saturday June 24th from 6pm to ??? at the historic Bolling Club

  • This is a "dress to impress" evening celebrating "75 Years Of Air Force Honor Guard Excellence"

  • Dress to impress is anywhere from a suit and tie to a tuxedo to your Sunday best.  Don’t stress, just dress to impress

  • Social Hour begins at 6pm with cash bar cocktails, with the formal portion of the dinner program beginning at 7pm

  • The Eleventh Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force David J. Campanale is the keynote speaker

  • The Air Force Band's String Quartet will provide entertainment during the social hour

  • Diners will be serenaded during dinner by the one and only Air Force Band's Strolling Strings

  • Attendees will receive a commemorative 75th Anniversary wine glass and other keepsakes

  • Ten recipients will be bestowed the prestigious honor of being inducted into the Order of the Praetorians

  • This will be your last opportunity to submit the winning bid for the silent auction and raffle items with the winners being announced at the end of the night

  • Unfortunately we will only be able to accommodate attendees who have already purchased their tickets for this event.  Tickets will not be available for purchase at the door.

  • We are expecting approximately 350 attendees for this event

The 75th Anniversary Alumni Group Breakfast:

  • Sunday June 24th – Start the day reminiscing with fellow alums while enjoying a buffet style, all-you-can-eat breakfast being served from 8:30am to 10am in the Capital Dining Room at the Bolling Club

  • Don’t be late for this one as we have a tight turn to be over at the Air Force Ceremonial Lawn located next to the USAFHG Campus for the start of the USAFHG Exhibition promptly at 10:30am.

  • Unfortunately we will only be able to accommodate attendees who have already purchased their tickets for this event.  Tickets will not be available for purchase at the door.

  • We are expecting approximately 175 attendees for this event

The USAFHG Exhibition:

  • Sunday June 25th at 10:30am on the United States Air Force Ceremonial Lawn located adjacent to the USAFHG Campus

  • Make sure to be in your seats by 10:30am in the stadium style seating on either side of the Dais and enjoy the show

  • Members of the unit will conduct a mock USAF Full Honor Funeral provide fully immersive overview of the unit's ceremonial operations followed by a precision performance by your USAFHG Drill Teaman

  • To end the 75th Anniversary Celebration, we'll move to the USAFHG Memorial for a Wreath Laying Ceremony by the USAFHG Commander and the AFHGA President in honor of those Ceremonial Guardsmen who have marched in their last parade

  • This portion of the program is free and open to guests who are able to gain access to the base

Harborside Hotel Information:

  • The Harborside Hotel is located at 6400 Oxon Hill Rd, Oxon Hill, MD

  • It is located approximately 3.3 miles from the JBAB South Gate

  • There are over 80 75th Anniversary Reunion attendees staying at the hotel

  • Shuttle service from the hotel to JBAB will not be provided

  • We are still attempting to secure information relating to JBAB's newly minted Uber program, so check back soon as we will post it as soon as we receive it

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