Posted on 02/16/2006 5:27:42 PM PST by SandRat
/16/2006 - BOLLING AIR FORCE BASE, Washington D.C. (AFPN) -- Ninety Air Force and civilian volunteers from Bolling and the Pentagon visited the Department of Veterans Affairs Maryland Health Care System Medical Center in Baltimore and the Baltimore VA Rehabilitation Center Feb. 14 as part of National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans Week.
Before the trip, members of the First Sergeants Council “shared their love” by sending the volunteers with snacks and drinks for the trip to Baltimore.
The volunteers spent time talking with the veterans on the hospital wards, as well as in the pharmacy, the out-patient clinic and the rehabilitation center. They distributed more than 1,000 Valentine’s Day cards and gifts donated by Baltimore-area schoolchildren and various veterans’ organizations to 125 hospitalized veterans and medical staff members.
“This annual program pays tribute and expresses appreciation to hospitalized veterans, as well as increase community awareness of the VA medical center and encourage citizens to become involved as volunteers,” said Dallas Renninger, the center’s voluntary service specialist.
Visiting with the veterans was where the real stories, cherished memories and special “characters” surfaced to make this a worthwhile visit for the volunteers.
While Airmen delivered the valentines and lent a listening ear, members of the U.S. Air Force Band’s Silver Wings and Air Force Strings serenaded the patients.
One of the most poignant moments during the visit occurred between the Air Force Strings and a former Sailor.
“See me crying here a little bit?” said former Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class John Crane, pointing to his right eye. The Air Force Strings had just finished playing a variety of music from Johann Sebastian Bach’s baroque “Air” to Ervin T. Rouse and Chubby Wise’s bluegrass “Orange Blossom Special.”
“They are spectacular. I really enjoyed it,” said the Korean War veteran, fighting back tears. “It was uplifting. I really liked the music.”
Mr. Crane wasn’t the only person who wept at the bandsmen’s performance. Sally Kirtland, nursing care supervisor in the medical intensive care unit, had tears in her eyes also.
“All the heart rates have gone down since the Air Force Strings have been here,” said Jane DeLander, the hospital’s consumer relations director.
Seeing Ms. Kirtland’s tears was Senior Master Sgt. Deborah Volker’s most memorable experience of the visit. Playing in the intensive care unit was the idea of Sergeant Volker, a violinist. She remembered playing during past visits to intubated (breathing through a tube) intensive care patients. In addition to Bach’s “Air,” the group also played Johann Pachelbel’s “Canon in D.”
Former Airman Dorothy Blakely, who served at Hahn Air Base, Germany, from 1975 to 1977, appreciated having the Strings stop by and play. She said the visit was “a blast” and helped make her Valentine’s Day special.
Having Senior Master Sgt. William Tortolano, violinist with the Air Force Strings, play in her room brought back fond memories of her Air Force career. The Baltimore native said she was proud to have served in the Air Force and wished she had stayed in longer.
Master Sgt. William Hones, double bass player for The Air Force Strings, touched on the importance of the group’s participation.
“In my opinion, this is some of the best and most important work we do,” Sergeant Hones said. “If it became a regular tasking, that would be fine by me.”
“It meant that we were able to give something back to our veterans and to let them know how much we appreciate their service to our country,” Sergeant Volker said.
After Air Force members delivered a valentine made by area schoolchildren, they also presented a flower planter to each veteran. A former soldier told the volunteers they had made his day.
“This is the best Valentine’s Day I’ve ever had. Now, I have something special to give to my girlfriend,” said Wayne Leek, a six-year veteran of the Army. “I haven’t been able to get her anything for Valentine’s Day since I’ve been in the hospital. She’ll really like this.”
Staff Sgt. Jennifer Hunt, 11th wing military equal opportunity specialist, said the most memorable aspect of the day was meeting with veterans from different eras.
Sergeant Hunt met with a young veteran who served eight years in the Army. He said his initial three-month deployment to Iraq with the Iraq Reactionary Force from Fort Campbell, Ky., lasted 15 months.
“While there he came under attack numerous times and saved lives and watched lives taken. He was hit with an improvised explosive device) but pressed on with the mission,” Sergeant Hunt said. “I gave him a hug and thanked him -- a true hero.”
Sergeant Hunt also spent time with a member of the Army Air Corps who volunteered to go to into the Air Force when it became a separate service in 1947.
“As the Air Force singers sang ‘Proud to Be an American’ he cried and I held his hand and cried with him. I thanked all (who) I met today. Because of them I am where I am today,” Sergeant Hunt said. “No history book can teach me what I learned today.”
Master Sgt. Vincent Loran, 11th Wing Military Equal Opportunity, said seeing the veterans’ facial expressions made the trip for him.
“The best part of the visit was seeing our veterans’ faces, filled with joy and happiness and being able to listen as they retold their stories,” said the senior non-commissioned officer. “You can’t (help) but notice how their eyes sparkled with joy but, most importantly, hearing them speak of their amazing journeys they encountered.”
He appreciated meeting veterans from World War II, and the Korean and Vietnam wars, both men and women from many nationalities.
“I’m proud and thankful for what they endured and accomplished. They will never be forgotten,” Sergeant Loran said.
Chaplain (Capt.) Robert Mueller, 11th Wing chapel, spent time in a hospice “where people are made as comfortable as possible during what is expected to be their final months here on earth.”
“I spoke to (an Air Force) veteran who had just been admitted the day prior, along with his daughter accompanying him during my visit,” the chaplain said. “They were so pleased to see the Air Force volunteers. And at the conclusion of my visit, they appreciated the prayer I offered upon their request. Then the daughter specifically requested my name: she said she wanted to pray for me by name in her daily prayers. We truly are one big military family.”
Senior Airman Jesus Villareal, 11th Dental Squadron, spent time with a 1960s-era Airman whom he knew as “Mister Clayton.”
“We talked about boot camp and his job working with security forces. Throughout the visit we both agreed on the one thing we both have experience in the Air Force -- camaraderie,” Airman Villareal said. “I am glad to be able to have the time to give to him.”
Sharing with the Wounded and Injured Vet's Valentines Day.
BTTT
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