Airmen share their appreciation to veterans

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class J. Zuriel Lee
  • 97th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  More than two dozen Airmen from Altus Air Force Base delivered Valentine's Day cards to veterans in four assisted living centers in Altus, Okla. Feb. 12.

Airmen visited English Village Manor, Plantation Village Assisted Living and Nursing Centers and Tamarack Assisted Living Center.

"It's great seeing new faces and talking with the Airmen," said Paul Kay, an Army Air Corps veteran living in the Tamarack Assisted Living Center. "We really appreciate you. We are proud of you. We like to see you all because you all are out doing the job now."

Each of the Airmen who volunteered gave a few hours of their day to show the veterans that they are not only remembered but also appreciated for their service.

"Valentines For Vets is great because any way of giving back to the vets is a good thing," said Airman 1st Class Coral Rojas, 97th Air Mobility Wing administrator. "They've done so much for us. It's important to show them that they aren't forgotten."

As cards were distributed, veterans told the Airmen of their memories while serving. For some, these stories make the experience much more meaningful.

"The stories are the biggest takeaway for me," said Airman 1st Class Susan Good, 97th AMW administrator. "Talking with veterans is life changing. Every vet goes through something different. You hear their stories and it brings their memories to life."

Each card given to the veterans was handmade by a child in the Altus AFB Youth Center, Child Development Center or Rivers Elementary School.

"The smiles on the veterans' faces after seeing the Airmen here are some of the biggest smiles I've seen," said Mary Kruska, who works for the Tamarack Assisted Living Center.