Travis Airmen spread holiday cheer to veterans

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Matt McGovern
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  More than 81 Team Travis Airmen decorated the Veterans Home of California in Yountville Dec. 1.

The Airmen also visited veterans to socialize during the holiday season. This visit may be the only one for some veterans there -- the largest veterans' home in the country.

"I suspected there wouldn't be any visitors for some of the veterans -- one in particular recently lost his wife and hadn't had a visitor in seven months," said Master Sgt. Robert King, 15th Air Mobility Operations Squadron.

"He has problems with his sight and his memory is starting to go but he reminds my family of a grandpa - we're going to adopt him," said Sergeant King.

The opportunity was beneficial for the veterans as well as volunteers.

"This was a wonderful opportunity to give back to those who gave so much to our great nation," said Tech. Sgt. Rickey Todd, 15th AMOS.

The Airmen decorated the home with lights, trees and other holiday decorations.
"The [decorations and visit] were very positive -- it lifted everybody's spirits," said retiree Terry Schatow.

"The Airmen reminded me and others of our home life in the past," he said.

This is the third consecutive year Travis has decorated the home.

"It would be nice to see them more, but we do love their presence," said Jach Phelps, U.S. Navy retired.

The 15th AMOS coordinator, Sergeant King, will be retiring and hopes someone will volunteer for his position to continue the visits.

"The first year I did this it blew me away. It's a well established process -- I wanted to thank the base for doing this and hope that we find a representative for next year's event to replace me," said Sergeant King.

The group will return Dec. 29 to take down decorations and visit with residents.

Members of the 615th Contingency Response Wing interested in the representative position or participating should call Sergeant King at 424-7423.

60th Air Mobility Wing members should call Tech. Sgt. Kevin Harding at 424-4541.