Airmen spread love, appreciation, to veterans

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Marissa Tucker
  • 4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. --  Airmen from the 4th Fighter Wing did their part to spread the love during a visit to The Pines Assisted Living Facility in Goldsboro as part of a Valentines for Veterans Program, Feb. 10.

A dozen Airmen from various squadrons on base distributed Valentine's Day cards made by local elementary school students and care packages donated by the American Red Cross to occupants of the Pines, an assisted living facility geared toward the elderly with health issues or who cannot live alone. Airmen were also given the chance to visit with the occupants of the Pines and exchange stories about their military service and family.

"Every visit leaves a happy memory," said Doris Shaw, who has been at the Pines for more than seven years.

The Valentines for Vet's initiative is an on-going program where Airmen visit veterans and the widows of veterans at different facilities around Valentine's Day, bringing cards and care packages. This year, Airmen stayed closer to home and visited veterans and widows in the local area.

"I really like to do things like this," said Airman Heather Fogle, an aerospace ground equipment apprentice from the 4th Equipment Maintenance Squadron. "By the reactions we got by just sitting down and talking makes me want to come back to do this again."
Airmen and occupants of the Pines chatted about topics from war stories to music videos, hoping to learn more about each other and to show appreciation.

"These World War II era vets and widows are a treasure and have seen life at its best and worst," said Tech. Sgt. Trent Nunley, noncommissioned officer in charge of customer service, 4th Logistic Readiness Squadron. "When the call came to serve our nation, many lied about their age to get into the fight knowing that the danger and hardship was great. Times were simpler then. No television or computers. Every man, woman and child worked for the war effort whether in uniform or a factory job or just scrap metal drives. We owe the few [veterans] that are left a huge debt of gratitude."

"I thought this was the least that I could do to thank the vets for their service and all they have done to contribute to our country," said Tech. Sgt. Bryan Haynes, from the 4th LRS Vehicle Operations Flight's quality assurance section. "What I experienced also is that the Vets (and the non-Vets at the facility) love to have people visit, it brightens their day."

The visit ended with an open invitation for Airmen to come back and visit at any time. The visit, while meant to brighten the day of the residents of the facility, also had a lasting effect on the Airmen who participated.

"When we got to The Pines, I met many sweet women who had informed me of why they were there. Some had lost their spouse and had nowhere else to go, but no matter what their reason of being there was, they all said that they don't get visited as often as they would like by their family," said Senior Airman Kenly Drescher, a structural apprentice with the 4th Civil Engineer Squadron. "By us going and seeing them, I feel we have made them happy again and broke them of their daily routine. It was nice being able to hear their stories and know who they really are."