Four officers take on ‘Big ‘A’ Challenge’

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Heather Stanton
  • 4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. --  Finger food went to the next level when four Seymour Johnson Air Force Base officers took on the "Big 'A' Challenge" at Andy's Cheesesteaks and Cheeseburgers in Goldsboro Dec. 15 during a friendly lunchtime competition.

Lt. Col. Michael Vecera, Maj. Anthony Smith, Capt. Jeremy Gehman and Capt. Timothy Hade attempted the challenge of consuming a 50-ounce stack of hamburgers, cheese, four additional toppings, fries and 24-ounce beverage within 30 minutes.

"It's all about the competition," said Col. Vecera, 4th Fighter Wing staff judge advocate. "It's a morale builder for the office. It's really what motivates us. Plus, not all countries have burger-eating contests."

Maj. Smith, 4th Comptroller Squadron commander, had other motivation for going through with the challenge.

"We're out to prove there is such a thing as a free lunch," he said.

According to Jeremy Bond, the owner of Andy's, if patrons finish the meal within the 30-minute timeframe, the meal is free. Otherwise, the meal costs $21.99.

The competition first came about in the legal office between Col. Vecera and Capt. Gehman, chief of general law. Then, during a recent Phase II operational readiness exercise, "while starving in MOPP (mission-oriented protective posture) four gear" in the installation control center, Col. Vecera challenged Maj. Smith.

After the date was set, training and preparation, for some, went into play.

"I stopped eating at 5 p.m. yesterday only to receive an e-mail at 10 this morning telling me it's not what to do," said Capt. Hade, 4th CPTS deputy budget officer.

The e-mail came from Col. Vecera, who retired from competitive eating in 1999 after winning a Waffle House award.

"I came out of retirement for this" Col. Vecera said. "I'm not a meat eater, I specialize in waffles and pancakes, but I'm going to give it my best shot."

Though all four went through the 30 minutes of pain, none achieved a lifetime of glory. However if there was a winner based on most-completed meal, that trophy would have gone to Capt. Gehman who had one-and-a-quarter burger patties and half a bun left.

"It looked a lot smaller on the Web site," said Maj. Smith. "This is just a temporary setback."

Col. Vecera took away a lesson from this competition and knows what needs to be done for next time.

"We know what the lesson for today was: You learn more from failure than from success," he said. "We're going to do some training and come back for more."