Wingman Day, Community Fair highlight resiliency, involvement

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Brigitte N. Brantley
  • 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  During the Whiteman Community Fair and Wingman Day Oct. 10, Airmen around base participated in various events aimed at highlighting the importance of resiliency and invovlement in their everyday lives.

The day kicked off with a presentation by Dr. Dan Gerdes, a sports psychologist from the University of Central Missouri.

"There is another word for resiliency - toughness," he said. "That is the ability to do routine things well, all the time, as well as the hard things that come up. It's also the ability to communicate with others when it's not particularly comfortable, but is vital to the team's health."

He described resiliency as a three-legged stool, and discussed how Airmen must have their mind, body and spirit equally developed to have a strong foundation to stand on.
Gerdes concluded with one of his favorite quotes: "You can't be tough alone."

Other wellness activities from throughout the day included tours of the Whiteman Commissary provided by the Health and Wellness Center , a running clinic also provided by the HAWC, tobacco cessation mentor training, a suicide prevention class and a Sleep Smart Class.

The Community Fair, which was held in the Missouri Air National Guard Armory, featured dozens of local organizations who provided information about things for Airmen to do in the community.

"When I got to this base, I heard from a lot of people that there wasn't a lot to do in the area," said Airman 1st Class Matthew Murphy, 509th Comptroller Squadron permanent change of station technician. "But then you come to events like this, and you see how much there really is to do."