Taking time to honor veterans

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. James M. Hodgman
  • 55th Wing Public Affairs
OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. --  A home for veterans, our nation's heroes, can be found about five miles from Offutt. If you walk through the doors, you'll soon find men who served in combat as far back as WWII.

The Eastern Nebraska Veterans Home, located at 12505 South 40th St. in Bellevue, is home to 112 veterans of all services, many with combat experience.

Every third Wednesday of each month, members of Air Force Sergeant's Association Chapter 984 and Team Offutt have lunch with the veterans, enjoy friendly conversation and thank them for their service.

The purpose of the lunches are to spend some time with the heroes of yesterday, honor them, share fellowship and camaraderie, and bridge the gap between service generations, said Senior Master Sgt. Matthew R. Becker, 55th Maintenance Squadron lead maintenance production superintendent and AFSA Chapter 984 president.

Sergeant Becker said that every visit means a lot to him on a personal and professional level.

"Military people represent less than one percent of the population of the United States," Sergeant Becker said. "I attend because (we) are part of a very exclusive club of American veterans."

Senior Master Sgt. Michael W. Miller Jr., 55th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron first sergeant, shares Sergeant Becker's appreciation for anyone who has sacrificed to serve the U.S. military.

With the lunches, Sergeant Miller said, "we honor our veterans and share our stories and they share theirs with us...each time I've gone there I feel incredibly honored to have had the opportunity to talk with the residents."

To date, nearly 200 people have attended Chapter 984's lunches at the ENVH. During the chapter's Feb. 16 visit, 10 members of Team Offutt met with several of the home's residents. For Dennis L. Moon, of Holdrege, Neb., interacting with today's servicemembers is a great experience.

Mr. Moon served in the Navy from 1970 to 1972 as a personnelist. He was responsible for taking care of enlisted personnel records, and spent 13 months during the Vietnam War performing a variety of administrative actions.

Mr. Moon said he enjoys every visit from Team Offutt, especially when he learns about the technological advancements the military has gone through over the years.

Herman Stanislaw, of Lynnwood, Neb., has been living at the ENVH for about a year. He served with the 91st Infantry Division during WWII. A Silver Star sits in his room and reminds him of his brave actions during the war.

Mr. Stanislaw said he really enjoys spending time with members of Team Offutt. He also said that he'd appreciate it when someone visits him and his fellow veterans once a week.

Ken Todd and Leonard Blass, both Navy veterans of WWII, share Mr. Stanislaw's sentiment.

"I feel great when members of the base come to visit me," Mr. Todd said.

"I love the visits," Mr. Blass added.

Sergeant Becker has visited the ENVH on many occasions and said he's working hard to establish routine visits by other professional organizations. He also highly encourages every member of Team Offutt to visit the veterans at least once.

The cost for the lunch is $2.50 and attendees don't have to be members of AFSA to attend. People who don't want to eat lunch at the home can purchase snack items and coffee at a nearby cantina or simply share conversation with the veterans without eating.

"If you haven't visited the ENVH yet, do it," he said. "Many of the residents are elderly and unfortunately don't have family around or friends to visit them as regularly as they should."

"As brothers and sisters in arms, it is our duty, our obligation to never forget those who laid the foundations of freedom," Sergeant Becker said.

Anyone interested in attending the next ENVH lunch with AFSA Chapter 984 can contact Sergeant Becker at 232-1345.

For more information about the ENVH, visit www.dhhs.ne.gov/vets/omaha.