Operation Gratitude thanks California warriors of the past who served

  • Published
  • By Senior Master Sgt. Ellen L. Hatfield
  • 349th Air Mobility Wing public affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE,Calif. --  Airmen of the 349th Air Mobility Wing, wearing their brightest smiles, turned out in June to say "thank you for your service" to a special group of Americans.

Nestled in the rolling hills of Napa Valley wine country, the scene was the California Veterans Home in Yountville, Calif. For the past eight years, a large group of volunteers from the 349th AMW have treated the wheelchair-bound veterans at the home to a champagne brunch.

This year's champagne brunch in the hospital kicked off with posting of the colors by the 349th AMW Honor Guard and the singing of the National Anthem. Not another sound was heard as the booming voice of Master Sgt. Oscar Rodriguez echoed in the hall with the stirring narrative that accompanied the flag folding ceremony, also performed by the Honor Guard.

During their meal, the veterans were entertained by "The Honeybees," a trio of teenagers reminiscent of the Andrews or McGuire Sisters, who sang all the popular tunes from the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s.

The festivities wrapped up with a raffle of gift items purchased by the 349th AMW Airmen, including a number of quilted lap robes made by hand and donated for the event.

Eight years ago, Caryl Anne Hathaway, a retired senior master sergeant then assigned to the 312th Airlift Squadron as a C-5 loadmaster supervisor, came up with the idea of sponsoring an event for the veterans living at the home.

When she became involved with the 349th AMW Top Three council, she had a desire to do something to give back to California's surviving veterans. In earlier years, the wing had provided a cookout, but she wanted to do something different.

Working with retired Col. Dick Hum, they cooked up the idea of a brunch.

"But what's a brunch without champagne?" Mrs. Hathaway asked.

She got deals and donations from various businesses, organized the event and her volunteers from the Top Three and the wing jumped at the chance to help.

The original venue was across the street from the hospital. Due to the cost involved in hiring extra nursing staff and transportation to take them from the hospital to a location across the street, many wheelchair-bound and infirm veterans missed out on a variety of social activities because of their immobility.

To remedy the situation, the volunteers trooped across to the hospital to bring the vets to the brunch.

"It was the biggest thrill and still brings a tear to my eye," said Mrs. Hathaway. "When I turned around, one continuous line of vets was being wheeled over to the brunch."

At that time, the home still had two surviving World War I veterans who enjoyed the festivities. When the original venue became too small after the first two years, it was moved across to the hospital recreation center.

Mrs. Hathaway said the vets get a huge thrill from seeing the wing Airmen dressed in their uniforms coming to spend time with them.

"All that we enjoy today - better pay, benefits, training, and our continuous freedom - we have because of these veterans who served before us. It's always an honor to be part of Operation Gratitude."