FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- A National Night Out celebration was held at Miller Park here Aug. 6. The National Night Out, an annual event held the first Tuesday of August, was created by the National Association of Town Watch in 1984, which made the most recent National Night Out the 30th annual observance.

Many members of the Fairchild community were on hand to take part in the celebration of the community spirit. The array of activities included a giant plush fire truck for children to play in, an exercise mat for martial arts, a baking competition, snowcones, informational stations for various Fairchild programs and burgers and hot dogs on the grill.

The reactions from members of Team Fairchild that were at the event were emblematic of the aims of NATW in creating the National Night Out.

"It's very important that Fairchild does this," said Tech. Sgt. Rebecca Miller, 92nd Maintenance Squadron Composite Tool Kit noncommissioned officer in charge. "The more you know about your neighbors, the more you know who you can depend on."

Attendees at the event included Col. Brian Newberry, 92nd Air Refueling Wing commander.

"The National Night out was a tremendous success," Newberry said. "For 30 years we as a nation have come together to celebrate and promote involvement in crime prevention activities and police-community partnerships. I salute our Defenders, Balfour Beatty and all the private organizations that came together to celebrate family as we stood shoulder to shoulder to tell 'lights out' to crime here on Fairchild!"

Coordinators of the event had plenty to feel good about during the evening, as well.

"I feel that we met the objective of the NATW," said Staff Sgt. Denine Deal, 92nd Security Forces Squadron police services and National Night Out organizer. "Col. Newberry brought up some good points about how we're not exempt from crime even though we're an Air Force base."

Balfour Beatty, as a coordinating organization of the event, also had plenty to be enthusiastic about regarding the evening.

"This was our fifth year to partner with Security Forces in conjunction with National Night Out," said Georgia Allen, Balfour Beatty Communities LifeWorks Coordinator. "It has always been a great partnership and this year was the best. We are looking forward to this great event again next year."

Deal estimated that this year's National Night Out was the most heavily attended of the five that Fairchild has hosted thus far.