Altus Airmen surprise Clinton veterans with gifts

CLINTON, Okla. – Retired U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Stephen Francis unloads supplies from the back of a truck during a volunteer trip to the Oklahoma Veteran’s Center, Dec. 17, 2014. Boxes full of sanitary items and drinks were stocked directly into the center’s pantry to be used at a later date, and 100 packages and cards were presented to the veterans. Francis is a member of the Air Force Sergeant’s Association chapter 988 in Altus. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Megan E. Acs/Released)

CLINTON, Okla. – An Airman leans down to better hear a veteran after handing him a present during a volunteer trip to the Oklahoma Veteran’s Center, Dec. 17, 2014. The veterans were happy to be visited by the Airmen, excited more for the company than the gifts, and spent as much time as they could telling their stories to the younger generation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Megan E. Acs/Released)

Altus Airmen surprise Clinton veterans with gifts

Published Dec. 19, 2014
By Airman 1st Class Megan E. Acs
97th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

CLINTON, Okla. -- Altus Airmen delivered presents and supplies to veterans living at the Oklahoma Veteran's Center in Clinton, Dec. 17.

Altus Airmen have been participating in this act of volunteerism for more than five years, delivering gift bags with items such as soap, toothbrushes, tube socks, and Christmas cards to the veterans.

This year, 100 packages and cards were presented to the veterans, while boxes of sanitary items, drinks and DVD players went straight to the pantry for the veterans to use later.

As the volunteers walked through the halls of the veteran's home, passing out the bags of goodies, veterans looked on with appreciative smiles, happy for the company of the newest generation of Airmen.

"I'm happy to have met you," said a smiling veteran from the comfort of his bed, as he reached out to shake the hand of a younger Airman.

One former U.S. Marine Corps artilleryman, Carl Rebhine, could hardly contain his excitement, exclaiming that it was super to have the company of the Airmen.

"I want to thank you all for your service. What you do is very hard, and your families go through a lot, with all the deployments. We appreciate everything you do," said Rebhine. "More than the gifts, just you all coming around and visiting us means more than anything."

While the veterans were on the receiving end of the presents, they weren't the only ones who got something out of the experience.

"It's rewarding. Every year we get to come out and see them and hear their stories. It's very self-satisfying. You get to know these veterans and their uniqueness," said U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Audrye Rojas, 97th Logistic Readiness Squadron NCO in charge of squadron readiness. "To see the smile on their faces and get to know each and every one of them every year makes a big difference. We want to reach out to our veterans and let them know they're not forgotten."

A few men told soft-spoken stories of their time in the service.

"Each one of them would love to hear a story, or tell a story. They love to see the uniform. They want to give thanks as much as we want to," said Rojas.