Wright-Patt joins hands with community to thank veterans

  • Published
  • By Gina Marie Giardina
  • 88th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  More than 40 volunteers from Wright-Patterson Air Force Base walked room to room and floor to floor at the Dayton Veteran's Affairs Medical Center delivering Valentine's Day bags of 'thank yous' from local children to the veterans for the annual Valentines for Vets event Feb. 12.

From the hands of local school children to the hands of Airmen at Wright-Patt and lastly, into the hands of veterans, the bags and the gratitude that traveled with them highlighted the strong community support for our military, past and present.

"It's a great opportunity for our Airmen who work at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base to meet the generation before them who paved the way for us who are serving today," said Col. John Devillier, 88th Air Base Wing and installation commander. "Many of our veterans have traumatic and emotional experiences from their service, and it's important for us to listen to them and thank them for the sacrifices they made to our country."

Within 24 hours of the call for volunteers for Valentines for Vets, there was a "strong outpoor" of Wright-Patt interest--of Airmen who wanted to volunteer, said Tech. Sgt. Ginnette Rich, the volunteer liaison.

"That just shows how much the people at Wright-Patterson enjoy coming out to the Dayton VA Medical Center to listen and interact with the veterans," Rich said.

Glenn Costie, the Dayton VA Medical Center director, explained that the event started decades ago with Dear Abby, who asked her readers to write cards that were then sent to the veterans at the VA hospital.

And here in Dayton, the birthplace of aviation, it's quite common for small ideas to sprout wings and fly.

"It's gone from that fairly simple idea from Dear Abby to an entire week of celebrations," said Costie. "One of the events is inviting the active duty service members and others from Wright-Patt to come over and meet our veterans."

But Devillier explained that this event also affords Airmen the opportunity to listen to these storytellers of military history.

"I truly enjoy listening to the stories of these veterans who served in World War II, Korea and Vietnam.  They have so many stories to tell, and it's our honor to listen to them," Devillier said.

According to Vivian Newstate, a Voluntary Service specialist with the Dayton VA Medical Center, the Valentine's Day cards and bags came from schools, churches and other organizations from the region. She said that some examples include Cridersville Elementary School, American Legion Post 615, Rush Creek United Methodist Church, Buckeye Elementary School, Dayton Christian Elementary School, Greenwood Manor, McKinley Elementary School, Button Buddies 4-H Club and the Harold Lewis Center.

"I am very proud of the outstanding relationship between the local school districts and organizations around the Miami Valley, the Department of Veteran's Affairs and Wright-Patt," said Devillier. "This event is just indicative of the great community we have in the Miami Valley."