This past Memorial Day as America honored those veterans who have already passed, members of Air Force Sergeants Association Chapter 1179 were preparing to honor veterans from previous generations who are still among us.

On Tuesday, Buckley Air Force Base and Chapter 1179 hosted residents from the Colorado Veterans Home in Denver who came to Buckley AFB and were treated to lunch and a tour.  Mrs. Barbara Atwell, chief of Community Relations and Staff Sgt Yolanda Becker, Chapter 1179 Membership Trustee worked with Ms. Melissa Blair the activities director for the Denver Veterans Home to coordinate the tour.

Arriving at Buckley AFB, the veterans received a windshield tour of the new Army Aviation building, the BX and Commissary, and the new family housing area before finally stopping at the Buckley AFB Chapel.  Once inside, they were treated to a tour of the Air Force’s newest chapel by Chaplain (Capt) Brian Clouse.

Lunch was provided by Chapter 1179 and dessert was bought by Buckley’s Airman Against Drunk Driving.  Team Buckley volunteers helped serve food and visited with the residents.

Once lunch was completed, the residents were given the 460th Space Wing mission brief by Colonel Patrick Phelps, Individual Mobilization Augmentee to the 460th Space Wing Commander.  Afterwards they received a “Special Thank You” for their past service from Chief Master Sgt Rene Simard, 460th Space Wing Command Chief. 

“It is an honor for me to be part of another visit where we can show our appreciation to them for their contributions and for paving the way for us,” Chief Master Sgt. Simard said. 

Tuesday’s visit was part of an Air Force wide effort geared at boosting volunteer efforts at the 135 veterans’ homes throughout the United States.  In a letter dated April 26, 2006. Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Gerald Murray wrote about their importance of volunteering at local Veterans Homes.

“While individual bases and Air Force Sergeants Association chapters have worked aggressively over the past several years to organize Airman to volunteer at their local State Veterans Homes, the need continues to be great,” Chief Murray wrote.  “The significant contributions of AFSA and base volunteer teams are truly noteworthy, but there is much more to be done.”

While groups such as the Chapter 1179 continue to visit the Denver Veterans Home on a regular basis, future resident visits are being planned for the future.

“We hope to come out and see the individual things such as the F-16s and the dog kennel,” Ms. Blair said.  “Maybe we could even bring a group out to one of the chapel services.”

Ms. Leisha Antiane, an activity assistant at the Denver Veterans Home, talked about some of the other groups who come out to visit the residents.  She said that besides many of the military groups who come out once a month, there is a group of young Marines who come out quarterly, and a flag folding ceremony that takes place in May.

For more information on organizing a visit to the Denver Veterans Home, contact Ms. Blair at (720) 857-6437, or email AFSA Chapter 1179 at webmaster@afsa1179.org.