Reservists attend annual VA Medical Center picnic

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Charlie Miller
  • 445th Airlift Wing
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB, Ohio --  The pleasure is ours. Every June, members of the 445th have the distinct honor of working with the Air Force Sergeants Association Kittyhawk Chapter 751 at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Dayton, Ohio at the annual picnic for the residents there. I love going there and I'm not alone; there are many repeat volunteers. 

"It's always been important for me to come here," Technical Sgt. Mike Lane, 445th Maintenance Squadron said about helping with the picnic. The sergeant is a regular volunteer at the center; he's a member of VRW #3283 and American Legion Post 200. Both organizations donate time and resources to the residents. 

Residents of the Medical Center were treated to a full picnic lunch with all the fixings and live music. Due to rain, the food was served inside. The cookout became a cook-in, if there is such a thing. The residents didn't seem to mind. More than 200 lunches were served with, at times, a line 15 deep. 

The 445th was well represented again this year with more than two dozen members taking part. Wing commander Colonel Steve Goeman and Command Chief Master Sergeant Aaron D. Mouser visited with the veterans. 

"These events are good to do," Colonel Goeman said. "It's great to hear their stories." The colonel said that during his time as Vice Commander, 459th Air Refueling Wing, Andrews AFB, Maryland, wing members did a number of activities at The Armed Forces Retirement Home, which is close to Andrews. 

The AFSA had about 50 volunteers, according to Ruben Garcia, president of the local chapter. These are the folks that make all the food and do almost all the work. The AFSA holds two events every year at the VA Medical Center; one in June and one during the holiday season. Reservists and active duty airmen donate toiletries, books, shoes, socks, T-shirts and more. 

Resident John Glover, a Vietnam veteran, was glad to see all the 445th members. "I knew you guys were doing the work because you're in uniform," Glover said with a huge smile and a hearty laugh. "What I'd really like is to get someone to take me up on one of you jets, feel some G's." 

There were a number of 88th Air Base Wing airmen helping out. Staff Sgt. Monica Holloway, who works at the Air Force Claims Center, Kettering, Ohio was volunteering for the second time. 

"I'm here to because I like to help people and to show my appreciation to the veterans who live here," Sergeant Holloway said. 

Staff Sgt. Tina Hall, who also works at the Claims Center, received an email and talked with an AFSA representative about helping out. Sergeant Hall, her seven-year-old daughter Alisha Yarbrough, and Sergeant Holloway were part of a group of reservists and active duty that took the picnic to the residents too frail to make it to the main dining facility. They pushed carts full of food through the wards, stopping to visit, and in some cases, feed residents. The seven-year-old enjoyed the long straight hallways; her Heelys worked well on the hard flooring. 

Former 445th commander Major General Hanferd "Rusty" Moen Jr., now Director of Intelligence, Air, Space and Information Operations, Headquarters Air Force Reserve Command, Robins Air Force Base, Ga., and former Command Chief Ricky Waggy also stopped in. General Moen ran into Walter Ellison, a resident he met during his time at the 445th. 

"The first person I saw was Walter," said General Moen. "He tells me he's getting a new motorized cart." Ellison, a WWII veteran, and General Moen are both from Iowa and lived about two miles from one another. 

Senior Airman Jake Nelson, 445th AMXS member, had a family reunion of sorts at the picnic. The airman's grandfather receives medical treatment at the center but is not a resident. It all worked out perfectly. Airman Nelson and Henry Schenck, Sr. a WWII Naval Veteran, spent an hour getting caught up over lunch. 

Personally, I feel honored to spend a couple of hours with the veterans. Some are in a difficult state of disrepair, some are quite elderly, and others seem ready for a softball game. I love hearing their war stories. Helping at the picnic and the holiday party is an easy way for me to say "thanks."