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38th APS visits VA Hospital in Charleston

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Mark Kleber
  • 315th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
CHARLESTON AFB, S.C. --  Despite the fact that 99-year-old Navy veteran Mervin Anderson is bedridden at the Charleston VA Hospital nursing home he perked up and came to a sense of attention as Senior Airman Jacqueline Gordon of the 38th Aerial Port Squadron sang the National Anthem.

"He perked up and attempted to sing the words with me," Airman Gordon said. "I felt proud visiting these veterans who paved the way for us."

This visit to the VA Hospital nursing home is an annual event for the 38th APS that has occurred for the past ten years. It stemmed from the unit's morale, welfare and recreation commitment to perform a community function, according to Senior Master Sgt. Alma Lowery, the MWR event coordinator.

"The respective story of each patient's history in the military is remarkable," Sergeant Lowery said. "There is so much pride in their service to our country, but what is most important to them is that our visit assures them that they have not been forgotten and are highly appreciated. It gives our present day Airmen a sense of pride and for those who served long before us."

Led by commander Lt. Col. John Tree and Lt. Chris Harrison, the 38th APS had 12 members who visited the veteran patients. They took toiletries, underclothes, socks, sugar-free candy, cookies, book and stuffed animals.

Many of the Airmen contributed by bringing items and some gave monetary donations to purchase items. Local businesses also made donations.

"It was sad seeing many of them restricted to their beds, but I felt good they are being well taken care of," said Master Sgt. Stacy Bostic.

"Some of them had no family to visit them, and it's important for us to show them that someone cares about them," Sergeant Bostic said. "They took care of us, and now it's our time to care of them."

"Our unit will continue to carry on this tradition because it is a yearly event in which our unit prides our way of giving back to the community," said Sergeant Lowery.