To thank the for their service, more than 900 active duty airmen and the families of deployed airmen were treated to a barbecue lunch in Cocheo Park at Vandenberg Air Force Base on Oct. 9.  The event was hosted by the Lompoc Valley Chamber of Commerce’ Military Affairs Committee and sponsored by Explore Lompoc.

The Military Affairs Committee’s mission is to support Vandenberg Air Force Base and serve as a bridge to the Lompoc Valley community.

Volunteers from the Noncommission Officers Association, First Sergeants, Village Dirt Bags, Lompoc residents, Explore Lompoc, and the Military Affairs Committee were gathered as Col. Mastalir, commander of the 30th Space Wing and Western Launch and Test Range, kicked off the event, speaking to the airmen and families.

Among the volunteers was Gilda Cordova, Lompoc City Council member and president of Explore Lompoc. Volunteers served until 2 p.m. and provided to-go meals for thos unable to attend.  Leftover meals were donated to the Bridgehouse Homeless Shelter.

The Military Affairs Committee is under the umbrella of the Lompoc Valley Chamber of Commerce and is always recruiting for active volunteers to provide services to the armed forces as well as host events to bring the Lompoc Valley and Vandenberg Air Force Base together. For more information about the Military Affairs Committee, call the Lompoc Valley Chamber, 805-736-4567.

— Marlee Bedford for Lompoc Valley Chamber of Commerce.