Delaware National Guard - DNG News 2002

Master Sgt. Michael Dellavella of the Delaware Air National Guard, Security Forces Squadron, lives in Philadelphia, and on June 27 on his morning drive on I-95 South to work at the New CastleCounty Air Base, he was listening to radio station 104.5 FM "Alice" out of Philadelphia. He heard the announcer say the station was giving away an air conditioner in a contest to the caller making the best case they were the hottest person.

The day before, June 26, he had picked up a group of a dozen Air Force Reservists and his own Security Forces commander at Dover Air Force Base as they had just returned from overseas. He picked them up and drove them to a hotel near the Philadelphia airport for overnight lodging. "I was complaining to the reservists that the local region was suffering from many days in a row of hot and humid temperatures in the 90-degree range," said Dellavella. "Well, I got no sympathy from the passengers. They had all just gotten back from a 90-day deployment in the Middle East region, and they reported that it was over 110 degrees for the last three months! That put a quick end to my minor complaints."

Dellavella and a fellow Security Forces instructor, Senior Master Sgt. Chris Kearns, had driven to Dover AFB with submarine sandwiches and cold soft drinks. They wanted to treat the tired and thirsty incoming military members to a welcome home taste of America with comfort food and cold drinks. They also had an air-conditioned Air Force bus ready to meet their passengers, and helped load it with all the military and personal bags the dozen had from their three months overseas. Their guests were so pleased with the hospitality of the Delaware Air Guard bus detail, that they presented the welcoming team with a special military coin commemorating Operation Enduring Freedom with the word’s "Let’s Roll" on it, plus paper currency from Afghanistan as a souvenir.

So, on June 27, with the previous day’s exchange about hot temperatures fresh in his mind, and hearing the radio announcer talk about the "Who’s the Hottest" contest, Dellavella thought quickly. When he arrived to work on base, he called the radio station, and identified himself as a member of the Delaware Air National Guard. "I told them my story about 12 Air Force members mobilized as a result of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, in very hot desert areas, and that they had left their families for 90 days. I said, as far as I’m concerned, we’re the hottest!" He also informed the station that as a federal employee and military member, he could not accept a prize if he won, but would donate it to a local senior center in New Castle County.

Well, surprise, surprise! After 30 minutes or so, the radio station called him back to inform him he had and that he won their prize!

Dellavella and Kearns picked up the 8,000 BTU air conditioner (with remote control and a timer, no less) from the radio station, and brought it to the New Castle County Airbase. On June 28, he plans to take the air conditioner to the New Castle, Delaware office of the Howard Weston Senior Center, a local agency suggested by Kearns. They are donating it to help keep the elderly cool, especially during our local heat wave.

Dellavella and Kearns will go back to instructing at the Security Forces Squadron, but may keep an ear open about contests awarding air conditioners as prizes. Who knows? Maybe they will win a barbecue grill or even lawn furniture and an umbrella, and make the rest of the summer interesting for those people they surprise with gifts. A fitting and cool finish to a hot story.