Giving back to those who gave before

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Mike Tryon
  • 90th Missile Wing Public Affairs
F. E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. --  Giving back and thanking those who have served before can be a rewarding gift Warren members provide during monthly visits to the Veterans Affairs Clinic in Cheyenne, Wyo.

Each month, Air Force Global Strike Command's master sergeants through chief master sergeants -- Top 3 -- here sponsor visits to the local VA clinic to share time with those who have served before.

"The most rewarding part of volunteering and making visits to the VA is seeing the faces of the veterans," said Master Sgt. Kevin Polson, 90th Missile Security Forces Squadron and organizer of the VA visits. "They really come to life when we show up. Whether it's someone to talk with or play a game of cards, you can see what the visits do for the veterans."

When visiting the VA clinic, volunteers are broken into smaller groups. Once the volunteers have been divided into groups, they are taken to different areas to visit the veterans.

Some groups are taken to see and talk with the veterans who choose not to leave their rooms, while others meet veterans in the recreation room to spend time talking and playing games with them.

"Typically, visits only last an hour or so," Sergeant Polson said. "However, some volunteers have stayed well past that listening to some of their stories."

While the Top 3 sponsors the event, every member of the Mighty Ninety is allowed to volunteer.

The next monthly visit is tentatively scheduled for early August.

"Because of the missions the U.S. military is involved in overseas, it's easier for me to think of and remember the veterans of previous wars and conflict," said Tech. Sgt. Tim Dewitt Jr., 90th Security Support Squadron and frequent VA visit volunteer. "It's easy to take our freedom for granted and forget the sacrifices our veterans have made to preserve that freedom.

"I'm trying to continue showing my respect for all veterans no matter what's going on in the world," Sergeant Dewitt added.

To volunteer for the next visit, or to get information to set up visits, contact Sergeant Polson at 773-3176 or via e-mail at kevin.polson@warren.af.mil.