Spreading the love

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class J. Zuriel Lee
  • 97th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
Clinton, Okla. --  Valentine's Day is a holiday used to celebrate love, and Airmen from Altus Air Force Base chose to spread the love by visiting and delivering cards to veterans at the Oklahoma Veterans Center in Clinton Feb. 14, 2014.

Airman visited with more than 200 veterans with hopes of brightening their day.

"I want to give back to the local community and to our veterans," said U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Shontece Bush, 97th Operations Support Squadron air field management operations supervisor. "I want to make sure they are not forgotten."

"My dad is a Marine Corps veteran," said U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Andrew Kitchen, 97th Logistics Readiness Squadron vehicle operations journeyman. "I want to give back for all he's done and for all the veterans who served before we have."

Bush recounted her experience with U.S. Air Force veteran David Kirk as a touching and emotional one.

"I'm appreciative of the Valentines," said Kirk. "I'm flattered you're here."

Kirk explained that he was a U.S. Air Force tailgunner for a B-29 Superfortress bomber during World War II.

"I spoke to one Air Force veteran's wife," said Kitchen. "He was an Air Force WWII vet. He served on a WWII bomber as a gunner. It was really powerful and emotional. I know he had some good memories to share."

While the reason for volunteering may be different, every individual brought back something from the experience.

"It's something you want to do, and it's something that you'll enjoy," said Kitchen. "It'll give you a sense of enjoyment knowing we're following in their footsteps."