Air Force District of Washington volunteers Master Sgt. Rica Taylor, NCOIC Knowledge Operator, Airman 1st Class Mary Fifer, Personnel Specialist and Staff Sgt. Stacey Barker, NCOIC Command and Control, assists Ms. Amanda Jensema, an Armed Force Retirement Home Recreation Therapist as she prepares tables for May Cookout for the residents at the AFRH in Washington, D.C., held May 7, 2010. (U.S. Air Force photo by Aletha Frost)

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Master Sgt. Rica Taylor, Air Force District of Washington NCOIC Knowledge Operator, prepares for May Cookout for the residents at the Armed Forces Retirement Home Washington, D.C., held May 7, 2010. (U.S. Air Force photo by Aletha Frost)

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Air Force District of Washington Chaplain (Col.) Wally Vaughn, shares a conversation with one of the residents during the Armed Forces Retirement Home’s May Cookout. The event was held May 7, 2010 at the Armed Forces Retirement Home in Washington, D.C. (U.S. Air Force photo by Aletha Frost)

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Staff Sgt. Stacey Barker, Air Force District of Washington NCOIC Command and Control, assists Ms. Carol Mitchell, an Armed Forces Retirement Home Recreation Therapist in preparation for the May Cookout for residents at the AFRH in Washington, D.C., held May 7, 2010. (U.S. Air Force photo by Aletha Frost)

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Air Force District of Washington’s Senior Airmen Tiffany Miles and Carlton Dixon, both Knowledge Operators prepare picnic tables for the May Cookout for residents at the Armed Forces Retire Home Washington, D.C., held on May 7, 2010. (U.S. Air Force photo by Aletha Frost)

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Air Force District of Washington volunteers (left to right) Master Sgt. Rica Taylor, Ms. Amanda Jensema, Armed Forces Retirement Home Recreation Therapist, Senior Airman Sheena Edwards, Personnel Specialist, Senior Airman Carlton Dixon, Knowledge Operator, Staff Sgt. Stacey Barker, NCOIC Comand and Control, Airman 1st Class Mary Fifer, Personnel Specialist, Master Sgt. Tonette Holman, NCOIC Supply Chain Management Divison, Senior Airman Tiffany Miles, Knowledge Operator and Ms. Carol Mitchell, Armed Forces Retirement Home Recreation Therapist pose for a group photo after the May Cookout held at the Armed Forces Retirement Home May 7, 2010 in Washington, D.C.. (U.S. Air Force photo by Aletha Frost)

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Air Force District of Washington’s Senior Airman Tiffany Miles listens as Mr. Francis McAleer, resident of Armed Forces Retirement Home shares his military memories during the May Cookout for residents at the Armed Forces Retirement Home in Washington, D.C., held May 7, 2010. (U.S. Air Force photo by Aletha Frost)

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AFDW volunteers enjoy a day of serving residents of the Armed Forces Retirement Home

Published May 13, 2010
By Aletha Frost
AFDW Public Affairs

Air Force District of Washington -- A day of serving and giving back to others is how nine Air Force District of Washington Airmen spent May 7 at the Armed Forces Retirement Home in Washington D.C.

Volunteers from AFDW assisted in setting up for the May cookout and ensuring that the 85 residents were served hamburgers, hot dogs and all the trimmings for a fun afternoon.

"The residents enjoy seeing the servicemembers and volunteers come out and assist them," said Ms. Amanda Jensema, recreation therapist at the AFRH. "Seeing servicemembers in uniform remind the residents that they are not forgotten."

The volunteers and residents enjoyed socializing.

"Each resident wanted to share a piece of their life and history with us," said Senior Airman Tiffany Miles. Airman Miles found Mr. Francis McAleer fascinating. McAleer a Philadelphia native enlisted in the Navy in 1939 as a boatswain's mate and eventually changed his rate and retired as a hospital corpsman.

"He shared many of his military experiences and was just excited to tell me about his life," said Airman Miles.

When asked how long he has been a resident of AFRH, McAleer quickly responded "too long" jokingly. McAleer also had shared memories of a performance by the College of the Ozarks choir and how his heart was filled to see the residents smile during the show.

"Volunteers are always welcome and truly appreciated by residents," said Jensema. "There are always events, activities and other areas that volunteers can assist residents at AFRH. For more information and details visit AFRH.

"Since our last visit at the AFRH, we enjoyed and learned a lot from our retirees," said Master Sgt. Rica Taylor, AFDW Knowledge Operations Center, Flight Chief. "It's good to give back to our former veterans and volunteering our time to the AFRH is a life changing experience."