Trunk or Treat

Several of the trunks were sponsored by different organizations from the Utah National Guard, including this booth, which was sponsored by the junior enlisted airmen of the Utah Air National Guard. The trunk not only featured the traditional candy bag, but also offered kids the opportunity to frost their own cookies as a treat. The event was hosted by the Utah National Guard's Family Programs Office and showcased several booths that UTNG children could trick-or-treat. The festivities also included clowns, bounce houses, and free hotdogs and soda. U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Burke Baker

Trunk or Treat

Chief Master Sgt. Robert Hill, Command Chief for the Utah Air National Guard, places a dog tag around the neck of a "trunk-or-treater" at the Utah National Guard's fifth annual Trunk-or-treat event. The event was hosted by the Utah National Guard's Family Programs Office and showcased several booths that UTNG children could trick-or-treat. The festivities also included clowns, bounce houses, and free hotdogs and soda. U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Burke Baker

Trunk or Treat

Garrett Baker picks out of piece of candy as Senior Master Sgts. Steven Schiele and Cheryl Larsen watch. The sergeants were representing the Utah Air National Guard's Top-3 organization at the Utah National Guard's fifth annual Trunk-or-treat. The event was hosted by the Utah National Guard's Family Programs Office and showcased several booths that UTNG children could trick-or-treat. The festivities also included clowns, bounce houses, and free hotdogs and soda. U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Burke Baker

Utah Air and Army Guard Host annual 'Trunk or Treat'

Published Oct. 28, 2008
By Master Sgt. Burke Baker
151st ARW/PA

DRAPER, Utah -- The Utah National Guard Family Programs Office held its annual "Trunk-or-Treat" Halloween party at the Utah National Guard Headquarters here on October 25. It was the fifth time for the yearly event and organizers estimate that it drew an audience of nearly 1,000 for three-hour bash.

"Every year it has gotten bigger and bigger, and this year was the culmination of a lot of hard work," said Kelly Barnes, State Youth Coordinator for the Utah National Guard. "Every year we do this before Halloween, and I have parents email me saying that their kids enjoyed [the Truck-or-Treat event] more than Halloween itself."

Volunteers and staff hosted the event that highlighted several car trunks decorated for Halloween, as well as passed out candy to Guardsmen's children dressed in costumes. The purpose of the event was to bring Utah Army and Air Guardsmen's families together in a fun and safe environment to share a night of "trick-or-treating" together.

Several of the Utah Air National Guard's enlisted organizations sponsored trunks for the occasion.

"As junior enlisted members of the Utah ANG, we decided that it would be a worthwhile thing for us to come out and support the community and the families of both the Army and Air National Guard." said Tech. Sgt. Ali Chamberlain, a recruiter for the 151st Air Refueling Wing.

In addition to the trunk-or-treating, the festivities included several bounce houses, other inflatables, a climbing wall, clowns and free hot dogs and soda.

"I think it is a safe and secure environment for the kids. My kids are having a blast, they love the candy," said Tech. Sgt. Anthony Valdez of the 151st Communications Flight. "This is what it is all about, kids and costumes."