Airmen provide helping hand at widows village

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Anthony Jennings
  • 96th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Once you don the uniform and become a servicemember of the United States Air Force, you become a part of a family - even as your service commitment has ended. This idea of family is continued to include your spouse and dependents.

In honor of Asian-Pacific American Heritage month, Airman here contributed time and effort to volunteer at the Bob Hope Village cleanup May 21, 2008. This event aimed to help widows/surviving spouses of retired enlisted Air Force members who have died or were killed while serving on active duty.

"I really appreciate them coming out here and helping us," said Mickey Newton, resident of Bob Hope Village. "For them to take time to think of us, and take care of some of our needs shows that the Air Force still cares about our welfare."

The Airmen performed a variety of minor chores for the residents, ranging from planting palm trees and gardening to moving furniture and programming remote controls. Although the tasks may seem small, they were greatly appreciated.

"I wouldn't have been able to get down and plant those palm trees I've been wanting, but these young Airmen came and did it for me without hesitation," said Wanda Britt, another resident of Bob Hope Village.

"We really just wanted to give something back to the community and we felt that we could make a much more profound impact by targeting something Air Force specific," said Staff Sgt. Matt Werner, 46th Maintenance Squadron. "Many of the residents at Bob Hope Village were spouses/dependents of Air Force members that contributed to making the country we live in today, so it is imperative that we express our gratitude."

As a member of a tight-knit family such as the Air Force, it goes a long way to appreciate those who have paved the way to shape the world today. Those who have served or are serving today can rest assured that even as they pass on, their spouses and/or dependents will be embraced as family by their fellow brothers and sisters in arms.