701st MUNSS celebrates Belgian-American Friendship Day

Published July 3, 2014
By Staff Sgt. Joe W. McFadden
52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs

KLEINE BROGEL AIR BASE, Belgium -- Gray skies and cool sleet couldn't dissuade more than 200 U.S. Air Force and Belgian Armed Forces Air Component service members and families as they celebrated the 701st Munitions Support Squadron's Belgian-American Friendship day here June 27.

The tradition dates back more than six decades - a festivity commemorating less of a specific date and more about the two countries close ties stemming from the Allied liberation of the country in World War II.

"On behalf of the 701st MUNSS, we're proud to host this celebration in recognition of more than six decades of Belgian-American partnership here at Kleine Brogel Air Base," said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Kenneth Benton, 701st MUNSS commander. "We are honored to consider you not only as our brothers- and sisters-in-arms, but as our close friends and family."

The event is a result of the larger bilateral agreement between both countries as the Americans work on the installation provided and maintained by the Belgians.

"When people hear about Kleine-Brogel, the first thing they think about is 'Americans' - we haven't known anything else," said Jean Dreesen, 701st MUNSS interpreter and assistant housing officer from Kleine-Brogel. "As a kid, I remember GIs always being around. My best friends were American kids who played on our soccer team. The Americans are a part of our lives, and their presence here is a part of us."

The event included a performance from David Cook, American Idol-winning musician.

"We are completely honored to be here and come out and make some noise for you guys," Cook said. "I'm not sure this is the taste of home you're looking for, but we're still honored to be here."

To see more photos from the event, visit the photo set at Spangdahlem's Flickr page.