Wing Airmen help grant veteran's wishes

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. Rich Curry
  • 507th Air Refueling Wing
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  For the fifth year in a row Airmen from the Air Force Reserve's 507th Air Refueling Wing and 513 Air Control Group stepped forward in support of residents of the Norman Veteran's Center. 

The Reserve-run program, dubbed Angel Tree, strives to fulfill the Christmas gift wishes of the disabled veterans who reside at the center. 

According to project coordinator, Technical Sgt. Melba Koch, "We look at this as a way to honor those who served our country before us. " According to U.S. Census statistics, there are approximately 24 million veterans currently alive, nearly three-quarters served during a war or an official period of conflict. 

The Veteran's Administration operates more than 1,400 sites of care, including 209 Veterans Centers across the country. These centers are open to any veteran who served in the military in a combat theater during wartime or anywhere during a period of armed hostilities. The centers also provide trauma counseling to veterans and bereavement counseling to families of service members who die on active duty. 

Since the first Veteran Center opened, over 2 million veterans have been helped. Every year, the Veteran Centers serve over 130,000 veterans and provide more than 1 million visits to veterans and family members. The Norman Veterans Center opened in 1996. The 239,000 sq. foot facility has a 301 bed capacity to serve both male and female Oklahoma Wartime Veterans. 

"While the medical attention and care these veterans receive is excellent, each year many of these residents endure holidays as forgotten warriors," Sergeant Koch said.
This year the project provided gifts for all of the 294 residents of the center, with most receiving multiple gifts. 

"It amazes me how this program keeps expanding every year beyond our expectations," Sergeant Koch said. She stated that many of the Air Force Reservists assigned locally also work as civil service employees elsewhere on Tinker Air Force Base and when their coworkers learn of the project, they want to get involved.
"We had people stepping forward from all across Tinker Air Force Base wanting to support this project and even had people from the Army Reserve Center supporting us with donations," she said. 

On December 20, the efforts came to fruition as teams of Airmen set out to visit the center and distribute gifts. "The smiles on the faces of these people spoke out to me," said center visitor Senior Airman Zach Anderson. "It was humbling to be in the presence of these people who gave so much to our country and to take part in giving something back to them." 

Capt. Katrina Hightower, another center visitor agreed. "I was talking to one elderly gentlemen who was sitting alone in a wheelchair. As I leaned over to talk to him, he pointed to my pilot wings on my flight suit and asked if I was a pilot. I said 'yes' and his eyes widened as he said he was a pilot too!" he really brightened up and we talked for quite some time. 

The gifts requested were as varied as the veterans themselves. Some requested warm comforters, a sweater or sweatsuit and slippers while others wanted electric razors or music CDs. Then there were some who wanted OU jackets, black cowboy hats and even a used Playstation. Whatever was requested, that request was granted and there were smiling faces seen throughout the center as the gifts were unwrapped.
According to Veteran's Center activity director Glen Williams, "The Reservists supporting us have become our primary gift giver and sponsor for the center's holiday program. We truly appreciate everything you do for us."