Airmen of the 11th Wing visits the Armed Forces Retirement Home

  • Published
  • By Patricia Opong-Brown
  • AFDW Public Affairs
Several 11th Wing Airmen joined Col. Kurt F. Neubauer, 11th Wing Commander, during a visit with residents at the Armed Forces Retirement home in Washington D. C., Feb. 13.

Since the visit coincided with the monthly ice cream social, during the stop at the retirement home, the 11th Wing staff donned gloves and served hundreds of scoops of ice cream and toppings for sundaes to many of the residents. Members of the United States Air Force Band entertained them with toe-tapping, finger-snapping and hand-clapping music.

The AFRH is one of America's oldest veterans retirement homes, according to its Web site. Originally known as the Soldiers' Home, the retirement home was established in 1851 to serve the purpose as an "asylum for old and disabled veterans." All the residents have served in some theater of war.

During a moment with AFRH residents, Colonel Neubauer thanked them for their contributions to our country. "All of you have dedicated your lives to the defense of our nation and the protection of our freedoms," he said. "The men and women of the 11th Wing greatly appreciate all you've done to keep America free."

The AFRH consists of about 1,200 married or single men and women, said Sheila Motley, AFRH public affairs officer.

"The residents currently include men and women relocated from Gulfport, Mississippi, after the Armed Forces Retirement Home there was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina," she said. According to AFRH, more than 400 residents will remain in Washington until their Mississippi campus is rebuilt.

Ms. Motley mentioned the home is open to all members of the armed forces as long as they meet eligibility requirements.

For instance, if the veteran's active duty service was at least 50 percent enlisted, as a warrant officer or as a limited duty officer, or if the veteran is unable to earn a livelihood due to a service-connected disability or injuries, served in a war theater, received hostile-fire pay or is a female veteran who served prior to 1948, he or she meets the home's eligibility residential requirements.

AFRH has been funded by military members from its inception. In 1851, when General Winfield Scott, in charge of troops during the Mexican War, gave some of the money he got from Mexico City to Congress to create the Soldiers' Home.

Since then, a permanent trust fund was set up and has been supported by active-duty payroll deductions of 50 cents, said Ms. Motley. In addition, she said fines and forfeitures from the armed forces provide a substantial amount of financial support for the home.

According to Ben Laub, the AFRH director, the campus is like a city within a city because AFRH provides everything to the resident for daily living. There are private rooms for independent living, a top-rate health-care system, convenience store, dining room, laundry, barber shop and beauty salon.

Retired Sgt. 1st Class Charles Felder has been a resident for five years and gives the home high praise for companionship, as well as its health-care system. Retired Command Sgt. Major Russell L. Smith echoes those sentiments. He is a widower and says the support for other residents like him is a great help.

The AFRH campus shares a bit of Washington history, since one of the original buildings, the Lincoln Retreat, served as the summer White House for four presidents, most notably, Abraham Lincoln. According to Mr. Laub, President Lincoln spent one-fourth of his term in the Soldiers' Home, also known as the Lincoln Cottage.

"We've made good friends with the Airmen on Bolling Air Force Base, and as our friends, we would like for them to return often and enjoy our hospitality," Mr. Laub said.

If you would like to schedule a tour of the campus or volunteer your time, contact Ms. Sheila Motley at (202) 730-3200. If interested in teaching AFRH residents about basic computer skills, additional volunteer opportunities are available by emailing Mary Darden at mary.darden@afrh.gov.