What a powerful show of unity and gratitude! The 2025 Cannon Appreciation Day at Cannon Air Force Base was a heartfelt celebration of the bond between the base and the surrounding communities of Roosevelt and Curry Counties. Held on September 5th at Unity Park, the event brought together civic leaders, volunteers, and local organizations to honor the service and sacrifice of Cannon’s Air Commandos and their families.
The Portales/Clovis McDonald’s crew and ENMU Sigma Chi fraternity stepped up in a big way, serving over 2,000 active duty personnel and their families with a classic summer cookout—hamburgers and hot dogs with all the fixings. It wasn’t just about the food; it was about the feeling of home and appreciation that came with every bite.
The event was a collaborative effort led by the Committee of Fifty, the Portales Military Affairs Committee, and chambers of commerce from both counties. Sarah Stagner & Rose Robbins, on behalf of the groups, ensured a smooth, festive day filled with music, games, dancing, and even $5,000 in door prizes donated by local businesses. Ernie Koss – Clovis Curry County Chamber Executive Director “It was a perfect Chamber of Commerce weather day, we ordered it specially for this day.”
Civic leaders and Cannon’s own command spoke to the crowd, emphasizing how the partnership between the base and the local community strengthens both sides. As Sarah Stagner, the event chair, put it: “This event is not about what we do, but why we do it… Cannon Appreciation Day is our way of simply saying, from the bottom of our hearts, thank you.” Colonel Robert Johnston said ” You don’t see this kind of community support on any other base in the US, you can’t replicate this. This community is truly one of a kind.”
This kind of event doesn’t just feed stomachs—it feeds spirits.
