Buddha and Company: lunch and a show

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Yash Rojas
  • 354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  Two men have strived to create an engaging environment for Airmen across Eielson to enjoy meals at the base club.

James Clerc, kitchen manager, and Mike Reardean, lead club operations assistant, both former servicemembers, have changed Airmen's dining experiences by entertaining the idea that Airmen should have a say in what they eat.

Needless to say, creativity and a little fearlessness go a long way toward making this happen, according to Mr. Clerc and Mr. Reardean. Their concept takes cooking out in front of the customer, allowing them to be a part of the action as well the entertainment. This idea as well as the engaging personality of Mr. Clerc --better known as "Buddha"-- has drawn hundreds of patrons every week to get a taste of Eielson.

Patrons who visit the Yukon club range from Airmen who work and eat right here on base to temporary deployed servicemembers from places as far as the Netherlands, Japan and Italy. Buddha and Mr. Reardean both agree that in large part, the dynamic environment of Eielson and large training exercises, such as RED FLAG-Alaska and NORTHERN EDGE, have fueled much of the success at the Yukon Club.

"We see a lot of faces, a lot of people we don't know," said Mr. Reardean. "A lot of people are having a real experience here. They often make comments that their base does nothing like this."

According to Buddha, this food program was an accident. Pasta Friday started when the power went out on a Thursday night resulting in an excess of pasta.

Not wanting to waste any pasta, he decided to make it the next day for lunch. Ever since that day many years ago, the two founders have seen the program grow into almost a week's worth of lunch events.

"We never thought it would ever be this successful," said Buddha. "It keeps getting better and it doesn't seem to be slowing down anytime soon."

Without a doubt, Buddha and Company have made a name for themselves while at Eielson. In the twilight of his career, the personable Buddha celebrates a bright chapter in his life but has chosen to retire, leaving Mr. Reardean to continue what they started.

Buddha looks back at the memorable adventure that was Eielson, remembering an interview for his first job. Several years later he has decided to move forward and is taking his skill set back home, but is leaving his unique wing sauce, for pizza and wings Wednesdays, for Airmen to enjoy.

The two gentlemen have spent their careers satisfying customers across the base. They were even kind enough to extend a warm welcome to new Airmen who ended up watching the 2010 World Cup at the club while eating pizza in the early hours of the day.

The club will continue to strive to satisfy Airmen and others, but Buddha's absence will be felt as he moves forward.

"Of course, I don't want to see my buddy go," said Mr. Reardean. "And there won't be a replacement because he can't be replaced."

The life and personality Buddha brought will be difficult to reproduce; in fact, chances are it won't be duplicated. Instead, the programs he brought to life while at the Yukon Club and the food concepts he inspired will continue to serve patrons the way he intended.

Buddha and Mr. Reardean shared the better part of a decade together reinventing themselves and the way people spend an afternoon at the Yukon Club or attend an event at the club. The founders' hard work and dedication have led to the Yukon Club lunchtime tradition Tuesday through Friday 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; moreover, their efforts have built a reputable establishment Airmen look toward for food and entertainment.