Military spouses enjoy down day

Jill Vagle and Mary Ann Pace, Ocean County Massage Institute therapists, give complimentary massages to military spouses at the Military Spouse Appreciation Day Open House May 10, 2013, on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J. The event hosted by the Military and Family Support Center is a salute to military spouses for their accomplishments, patriotism and sacrifices. (U.S. Air Force photo by Russ Meseroll/Released)

(U.S. Navy courtesy photo/Released)

(U.S. Navy courtesy photo/Released)

Man on the Street

Army 1st Sgt. James Greene, 78th Training Division first sergeant, from Bel Air, Md. "My mother lives nearby so my sister and I will be taking her out to dinner and then to church. We will then meet up with the rest of the family to end Mother’s Day."

Man on the Street

Navy Seaman Apprentice Jordan Noto, Fleet Readiness Center East and Aviation Support Detachment aviation support equipment technician, from Kenner, La. "I ordered flowers for my mom and grandmother separately, then arranged for both of them to give the bouquets to each other."

Children on the Street

Malcolm McCollum, 8-year-old son of Staff Sgt. La Meisha Davis, 87th Communications Squadron “My mom teaches me how to be responsible and take care of myself.”

Children on the Street

Ainsley Davis, 7-year-old daughter of Air Force Maj. Amie Purnell-Davis, 21st Air Mobility Operations Squadron “She helps people when they get hurt. She works on air planes and helps others stay safe.”

99 RSC

Col. Malcolm "Tim" Burr, Army Reserve Sustainment Command Information Analysis Response Team director, right, and his wife, Julianne, joined more than a dozen military couples at the strong bond event hosted by the Army Reserve's 99th Regional support Command May 3-4, 2013, at the Omni-Parker Hotel in Boston. The chaplain-led Strong Bonds program is designed to help soldiers and their families build relationship resiliency and readiness through education and skills training that enhance communication and offer constructive ways to handle stress. (U.S. Army courtesy photo/Released)

NAVAIR commander visits joint base

Naval Air Systems Command commander, Vice Adm. David Dunaway, right, strikes up conversations with Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division Lakehurst employees after presenting them with documents recognizing their achievements in the Aircraft Launch and Recovery Equipment missions April 30, 2013, at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J. (U.S. Navy courtesy photo/Released)

Golf Battery 3/14 Marines send shells down range

1st. Lt. Scott Roman, Golf Battery 3rd Battalion, 14th Marine Regiment assistant executive officer and rifle platoon commander, adjusts an M2A2 aiming circle during artillery training May 4, 2013, on the Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst ranges. Roman is a Monroe Township, N.J., native and a graduate of Manhattan College in New York, N.Y. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. David Carbajal/Released)

Golf Battery 3/14 Marines send shells down range

Marines from Golf Battery 3rd Battalion, 14th Marine Regiment, set the line of fire for the M777A2 howitzer during artillery training May 4, 2013, on the Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst ranges. The lines of fire are used to line up the M777A2 howitzer to ensure the most accurate firing. The 3rd Battalion, 14th Marine Regiment is a reserve artillery battalion comprised of four firing batteries and a headquarters battery. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. David Carbajal/Released)

New Jersey Air Guard recruits prepare for BMT

Tech. Sgt. James Morris a recruiter with the 177th Fighter Wing, explains the about face movement to Edana A. Kudjordji, 108th Wing Student Flight member, April 13, 2013, at the National Guard Training Center in Sea Girt, N.J. Forty-four members of the New Jersey Air National Guard Student Flight spent a weekend in a simulated basic training environment preparing them for military culture April 13 and 14. Student Flight gives new enlistees a head start on basic military training, making the transition from civilians into Airmen easier from the time of enlistment until the time they leave for BMT. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Mark C. Olsen/Released)

NAVAIR commander visits joint base

NAVAIR Commander Vice Adm. David Dunaway, right, strikes up conversations with Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division Lakehurst employees after presenting them with documents recognizing their achievements in the Aircraft Launch and Recovery Equipment missions April 30, 2013, at Joint Base McGuire Dix Lakehurst, N.J. (U.S. Navy courtesy photo/Released)

Army Fiscal

Secretary of the Army John McHugh testifies before the House Armed Services Committee about the Fiscal Year 2014 National Defense Authorization Budget Request April 25, 2013, during a hearing on Capitol Hill. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. John G. Martinez/Released)

Service member spotlight: broadening horizons

(U.S. Coast Guard photo/Released)

Army lifesavers prepare Sailors for combat

Sailors with Navy Customs drag a 200-pound dummy under a barbed wire obstacle during the 174th Infantry Brigade's Combat Lifesaver litter obstacle course March 30, 2013, at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J. Service members mobilizing through the joint base complete the four-day, hands-on course with this culminating exercise, combining their new combat first-responder skills with an intense, team-driven obstacle course. (U.S. Army by Sgt. 1st Class Stanley Maszczak/Released)

Service member spotlight: all for one

Senior Airman Christina May, 305th Operations Support Squadron air traffic controller, is the joint base’s featured service member of the week. May hails from Santa Cruz, Calif. Q: Why did you join the military? A: Joining the Air Force was a pivotal moment in my life. Initially, I joined because I had no direction or discipline and I wanted to see the world. Luckily for me, not only did I gain all three of the aforementioned, but I have gained a true sense of purpose and continue to grow exponentially. Q: What is your job and what is its impact on the mission? A: First and foremost, I am an Airman, and I need to be the best that I can be so that others may also succeed. As an Air Force air traffic controller, essentially my job is to keep all airplanes safe while allowing for the quickest route of flight possible. I get our military planes to their destinations to accomplish the mission and I provide control services to civilian and commercial planes. Q: Do you have any past or current family members in military? A: My grandfather was an Army drill sergeant during the Korean War, and I am the first woman in my family to join the military. Q: Who most inspires you? A: My mother and father are both amazing people that inspire me. I always knew I loved them, but it was not until I flew the coop to join the military and truly be on my own that I realized how incredible they truly are. Q: What is one thing you’d like your fellow service members to take away or understand about the military? A: If there could only be one thing that I would like my fellow service members to understand about the military, it would be that we are all integral parts to the mission and without each other we would be nothing. Do your part and be the best you can be so that others may trust in and count on you and will hopefully be inspired to do the same.

Holocaust survivor remembers victims, honors service members

Joshua Brisk, one of the youngest Holocaust survivors of the Bistritz Ghetto, Auschwitz, Dachau, and other camps, emotionally talks about his experiences during the Holocaust during the 174th Infantry Brigade's Holocaust Remembrance Ceremony held in Tommy B’s Community Activities Cetner Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., April 8, 2013. He explained how grateful he was to the U.S. Army Soldiers who liberated Brisk April 29, 1945, and this is the first time that he has spoken to a military crowd since his liberation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Wayne Russell/Released)

Community leaders give back to joint base

Col. Rick Williamson, 305th Air Mobility Wing commander, and Joe Zarzaca, 32nd Air Refueling Squadron honorary squadron commander, pose in a group photo with deploying members of the 32nd ARS aboard a KC-10 Extender on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., March 26, 2013. Zarzaca delivered more than 1,000 bagels and doughnuts to each deploying KC-10. (U.S. Air Force photo by Russ Meseroll/Released)

FRC-E/ASD earns "Outstanding"

Petty Officer 2nd Class Justin Ruler, Fleet Readiness Center-East and Aviation Support Detachment warehouse quality assurance petty officer, conducts a quality assurance check on consumable parts in the inventory system in the FRC-E/ASD warehouse at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., April 8, 2013. Ruler goes through items stored in the Hanel Rotomat to ensure 100 percent accountability for all consumable parts. (U.S. Air Force photo by 2nd Lt. David J. Murphy/Released)

Easter Sunrise Service

Joint base chaplains sing hyms during the Protestant Easter Sunrise Service on Doughboy Field at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., March, 31, 2013. The service, which commemorates the resurrection of christ, included a special performance from the Friendship Ame Church of Browns Mills, N.J. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Sean M. Crowe/Released)

FRC-E/ASD group photo

Members of the Fleet Readiness Center-East and Aviation Support Detachment pose for a group photo outside their building at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Ryan Throneberry/Released)

Volunteers restore historic aircraft, relocate to Pax terminal circle

A C-118 Liftmaster is guided into its static display location in front of the McGuire Passenger Terminal on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., March 30, 2013. A team volunteers from the 305th and 514th Air Mobility wings and 87th Air Base Wing moved the historic aircraft from Big Beige to its static display location. Volunteers have been restoring the aircraft since October 2009. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. David Carbajal/Released)

Marines bring flight to fight

U.S. Air Force Air Advisor Academy students evacuate a simulated injured service member, to a CH-53E Super Stallion at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., March 29, 2013. Academy students learn the skills necessary to operate in any environment and culture. Students learn languages, combat skills, tactics and procedures during their training. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Sean M. Crowe/Released)

Drill Team presents arms at JB MDL

Master Sgt. Whitfield Jack, U.S. Air Force Honor Guard Drill Team superintendent, performs the walk through gauntlet maneuver with drill team members at building 1823 dock 23 on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., March 27, 2013.The Drill Team promotes the Air Force mission by showcasing drill performances at public and military venues to recruit, retain, and inspire Airmen worldwide.(U.S. Air Force photo by Russ Meseroll/Released)