Community prepares for AFAD

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Air Force Appreciation Day celebrates its 52nd anniversary Sept. 8.

It's known locally simply as AFAD -- pronounced "A-fad."

But Air Force Appreciation Day is not a simple or small event.

In a community that doesn't officially crack 15,000 people, AFAD features approximately 2,500 patriotic citizens who walk, ride and march in the state's largest parade, 7,000 or more people who line the streets to watch the parade -- many waving tiny American flags or dressed in red-white-and-blue outfits -- and over 10,000 individuals who show up to enjoy the free barbecue, entertainment and vendors booths in Carl Miller Park at the end of the parade route.

It is an event that is almost legendary throughout the Air Force and is designed specifically to honor the men and women who serve at Mountain Home Air Force base -- as well as all the military members in all the services who bear the flag for the United States.

AFAD is held the first Saturday in September after Labor Day and in 2012 it celebrates its 52nd anniversary on Sept. 8.

For the full story, pick up a copy of the Mountain Home News or click on this link to subscribe to the newspaper's online edition.

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I sure wish we could find a larger location for this event. Carl Miller Park is too small for the number of people that turn out for this event. Its difficult to enjoy when you cannot walk around because of the amount of people.

-- Posted by maybelle on Fri, Aug 17, 2012, at 5:39 PM

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