Cannon events joining forces

Staff Writer

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After over 25 years of holding two separate events, Cannon Air Force Base and the High Plains region are pairing up to hold Cannon Appreciation Day in conjunction with the Cannon Open House.

Ernie Kos, executive director of the Clovis Chamber of Commerce, said the event will be entirely the same except with a different location, and the chamber will not be providing the food.

“We will still be out there having fun with everybody,” Kos said.

An extra perk for local community members will be the live music event, Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band, starting at 4 p.m. Saturday.

Kos said a $10,000 donation raised by the Clovis Chamber of Commerce, the Committee of 50, and the Clovis Industrial Development Corporation was donated to the Gary Sinise Foundation.

“We are really excited to be able to show our appreciation to the air commandos for the things they do every day,” Kos said.

According to the website, the Gary Sinise Foundation works to create events to help veterans, whether it be by inspiring them, teaching them or simply giving them entertainment.

“We must do all we can to extend our hand in times of need to those who willingly sacrifice each day to provide that freedom and security,” Sinise is quoted on the website. “While we can never do enough to show gratitude to our nation’s defenders, we can always do a little more.”

One of the projects the foundation has concentrated on is Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band.

The 15-member band has performed over 300 shows worldwide, the website said. The mission of the band is “honor, gratitude & rock and roll.”

Airman Brendan Miller, originally of Oklahoma, said he looks forward to the music at his first Cannon Appreciation Day.

“Live music is always a special thing,” Miller said.

He said he looks forward to hearing music he has not heard before as well as listening to the local bands before the Lt. Dan Band.

Miller said he is also excited about the food.

There will be new people and old traditions at the shared event, according to Kos, who said the tradition that will continue at this year’s Cannon Appreciation Day is giving away door prizes.

Committee of 50 member James Burns said the committee used their dues to buy door prizes, such as ice chests, electronics, beach bags and luggage.

“We have a whole assortment of things,” Burns said.

Active duty Air Force members and their families will receive tickets for a chance to win the items.

Kos said in the past they have had up to $4,000 worth of prizes.

The gates open to the public at 6:30 a.m. Saturday morning and the first event, a fun-run race entitled “Run, Forrest Run,” will begin at 7:30 a.m. on the runway.

Local bands begin at 9 a.m. and take breaks throughout the day. There will be a pie-in-the-face announcement at 10:40 a.m., a Ladies of Cannon Polynesian dance demonstration at 1 p.m. and the car/motorcycle show awards at 1:30 p.m.

Closing remarks will occur at 6 p.m. after the Lt. Dan Band performs at 4 p.m. There will also be a dunk tank, an Andy Mason kid’s show and a performance by the Portales High School band.

“This is just another way to show our support of our commandos,” Kos said.