Taking Time To Honor Veterans
(March 4, 2011) |
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| OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. (3/1/2011 - AFNS) -- A veterans'
home near here is home to 112 veterans representing all
services, many of whom have combat experience, some of which
dates as far back as WWII. |
Senior Master Sgt. Tadd Goehring enjoys a chat with residents of the Eastern Nebraska Veterans Home Feb. 16, 2011, near Offutt Air Force Base, Neb. Sergeant Goehring is assigned to the 55th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron. U.S. Air Force photo/Jeff W. Gates |
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On the third Wednesday of each month, members from
here and the Air Force Sergeant's Association Chapter 984
have lunch at the Eastern Nebraska Veterans Home, enjoying
friendly conversation and thanking the veterans for their
service.
The purpose of the
lunches is to spend some time with the heroes of yesterday,
to honor them and share fellowship and camaraderie, bridging
the gap between service generations, said Senior Master Sgt.
Matthew R. Becker, the 55th Maintenance Squadron lead
maintenance production superintendent and the AFSA Chapter
984 president.
Sergeant Becker said every visit
means a lot to him on a personal and professional level. |
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"Military people represent less than one percent of the
population of the United States," Sergeant Becker said. "I
attend because (we) are part of a very exclusive club of
American veterans." |
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Senior Master Sgt. Michael W.
Miller Jr., the 55th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron first
sergeant, said he shares Sergeant Becker's appreciation for
anyone who has served in the military.
"We honor our
veterans and share our stories, and they share theirs with
us," Sergeant Miller said of the lunches. "Each time I've
gone there I feel incredibly honored to have had the
opportunity to talk with the residents."
The veterans
said they enjoy the lunches as well.
Dennis L. Moon,
a veteran from Holdrege, Neb., said interacting with today's
service members is a great experience.
Mr. Moon
served in the Navy from 1970 to 1972 as a personnelist. He
was responsible for taking care of enlisted personnel
records, and spent 13 months during the Vietnam War
performing a variety of administrative actions.
He
said he enjoys every visit, especially when he learns about
the technological advancements the military has undertaken
throughout the years.
Herman Stanislaw, a veteran
from Lynnwood, Neb., said he too enjoys the visits.
Mr.
Stanislaw served with the 91st Infantry Division during
WWII, and earned a Silver Star for his actions during the
war.
Sergeant Becker has visited the ENVH on many
occasions and said he's working hard to establish routine
visits by other professional organizations. He also highly
encourages every member at Offutt Air Force Base to visit
the veterans at least once.
"As brothers and sisters
in arms, it is our duty, our obligation, to never forget
those who laid the foundations of freedom," Sergeant Becker
said. |
By USAF SSgt. James M. Hodgman
55th Wing Public Affairs
Copyright 2011 | |
Reprinted from
Air Force News
Service
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