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Summer's not over

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Steven Goetsch
  • 51st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  The warm evening wind of Sep. 8 sent the smell of barbecue wafting across Osan. It also carried the great sounds of Yolanda Raburn and the band LRD up and down Songtan Boulevard.

The melodies coming off the soundstage and barbecue sauce-laden fingers could only mean the return of the Barbecue and Blues festival, and that summer wasn't quite yet over.

The sixth edition of this annual event had something for everyone. There were 19 booths to get anything from face painting, to stuffing your face, to putting a smile on your face at the theme-decorated booths. 

One competition at the Barbecue and Blues was "Best Booth." There was no limit to the imagination of the Michael Vick inspired booth, The Blues Brothers booth, or even the more traditional M.A.S.H. theme. There was even an Elvis sighting complete with a polyester-clad Chaplain Randall Kitchens.

The judging was tough, but at the end of the evening, the 51st Security Forces "Bad Newz Kennels" booth took the title and a $300 check for the charity of their choice.

The rib competition was even tighter, as ten entrants with superior culinary aspirations hoped to impress the judges' palettes. Recipes were as diverse as the costumes they cooked in. From dry rubs to marinades, the chefs boiled, basted and grilled their ribs in the hopes of taking home the golden pig trophy, and the $500 first prize check.

Confidence abounded from the Elvis camp. Chaplain Kitchens' "Blue Hawaiian" sauce seemed to have top-secret classification, but one of the ingredients was divulged from the King himself. "My ribs are the best because I used a hunk-a-hunk-a-grillin' love," said Chaplain Kitchens. The judges must have liked the fried peanut butter and banana sandwiches instead, because Team Elvis Tour finished third.

This year's winner was the Wild Mustangs, whose secret to great ribs is a two-phase approach. First, Yolanda Solis hit it with several spices she gets from her native Puerto Rico. After 24 hours under her watch, she hands the ribs off to Clover Stephenson, who uses a more traditional, but personal marinade.

"I just use a little honey, a little mustard, lemon and some Cajun seasoning. Then I add in a little bit of love. After 24 hours, they are ready to go," said Clover Stephenson.

While Osan feasted on ribs, chicken and all of the fixings, provided by the 51st Services Squadron, they also got to relax with the smooth sounds of the local band, LRD and Yolanda Rayburn, who visited Osan as part of Armed Forces Entertainment. She has a couple of reasons for traveling all the way from the U.S. to perform for the military.

"There are many ways you can serve. We all have a purpose to serve one another," said Miss Rayburn.

"The military members have served us and our country by putting on that uniform. We have chosen to serve you by coming over here," she added.

Another reason she joined Armed Forces Entertainment, besides her passion for music, was her personal ties to the military.

"I have a lot of military in my family," said Miss Rayburn. "My husband is retired Navy, and my father is a West Point grad."

"When this opportunity presented itself, they all said I had to take it, "she said.