North Texas Home Builders Association

Written by 363rd TRS Commander Maj. Sam Ulmer

On 24 August, the 363d Training Squadron brought “Hades” to the
Hotter-N-Hell, with the help of some of NTHBA’s finest members.  Thompson Brothers
Construction and Rowland & Donnell Homes donated some lumber and other
materials to the 363d Training Squadron’s volunteer group led by Capt Dan
Connors, so that they could create a “Hades” theme, complete with 363d
Technical Training students dressed as Zombies, the Director of Operations,
Capt Jeff Erwin, with his horse as the “Headless Horseman, and the
Commander, Maj Sam Ulmer dressed as the devil himself.  Not only did the
11,000+ riders rave over the theme design and costumes, but more than
40 volunteers from the 363d Training Squadron served bananas, oranges,
watermelon, pineapple, grapes pickle juice, and over 1,000 gallons of
PowerAde and water at rest stop #2 along the 100K/100 Mile route…all with
a 3 hour timeframe!  It was a great time for the riders and volunteers as
the riders waited in line to have their pictures taken with the Devil’s
Crew.  One 19 year old technical training student described the experience
as, “something I have never realized before in a community.  I guess it has
always been there, but the relationship between the local community and the
Air Force here is something that makes me proud to say that I have served at
Sheppard AFB.”  Maj Ulmer also wanted to again say special thanks to Teri
and all those at the NTHBA for being such great friends and “adopters” as the
relationship between the 363d Training Squadron and the NTHBA truly does
feel like family.  Who knows what next year’s theme will be…but you can
guarantee that NTHBA will always be invited to be a part of the fun!!