Building a better future: Travis Airmen help veterans on Martin Luther King Jr. Day

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Christopher Carranza
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Approximately 25 Travis Airmen volunteered with Rebuilding Together Solano County to help two local Air Force veterans with home repairs on Monday in Fairfield and Vacaville.

Rebuilding Together is an organization that provides health and safety housing repairs for low-income seniors, veterans and disabled homeowners as well as community facilities throughout Solano County. The organization relies on volunteers, donated materials and services to achieve its goals.

The Air Force veterans, retired Master Sergeants Victor Kestner of Fairfield and James Daniels of Vacaville, received interior and exterior repairs to their homes.

"Martin Luther King Jr. day is not just a day off, but a day on, in which you look for something to do or someone to help," said Renata Summers, 60th Force Support Squadron Airman Family Readiness Center volunteer coordinator. "I was very happy to see all the volunteers that attended the work site."

Summers was not the only Travis representative, she was joined by Senior Airman Justin Devine, 60th Medical Support Squadron medical administration, who helped clear debris from the back of the Fairfield home.

Devine said that he volunteered to help because it was a fellow veteran and he wanted to build a better relationship between the Air Force and community.

"There is no better feeling than knowing the fact you're helping someone out that needs help," Devine said.

While work was being done in Fairfield, another group of Airmen volunteered their time at the Vacaville home.

"This is fun for me, to help out a veteran in need while working with other Airmen that I don't usually see on a normal basis," said Airman 1st Class Paige Kowatch, 60th Medical Operations Squadron mental health technician. "This was a great opportunity for me to attend and assist where I can."

Master Sergeant Joe Bogdan, 60th FSS A&FRC readiness NCO in charge, said that there was nothing better than having a group of Airmen come together and help rebuild a veteran's home.