An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Taking time to remember

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Rhina Portillochacon
  • 375th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  Despite a high-visibility visit, preparation for deployments and the current operational tempo, Team Scott members made time for one of the most important missions military people have - honoring veterans.

For the fourth consecutive year, more than 45 volunteers from Scott Air Force Base made their way to the Illinois Veterans’ Home at Quincy during St. Patrick’s Day, to help the residents there celebrate with a special lunch, a few hands of blackjack and a salute to the women veterans - past and present.

The volunteers enjoyed a few anecdotes from the people at Quincy.

“Overall, my trip to the veterans’ home was a great and memorable experience. Being a history buff, it’s always interesting to hear stories from the men and women who are now referred to as ‘The Greatest Generation,’” said Master Sgt. Timothy Stewart, commercial mobile satellite services manager with the Air Force Communications Agency. “These are the people who endured the Great Depression era and rose up to fight against worldwide tyranny in WWII.”

The Quincy Veterans Home is residence to more than 600 former servicemembers.

Organized by Senior Master Sgt. Danny Storey, Tanker Airlift Control Center, and his wife, Sherry, the trips there have become a tradition.

“I talked to an Army sergeant who served in WW II. He was very proud that I was serving my country at such a young age with the current conflict going on in the world,” said Airman Jennifer Sauerwein, 932nd Airlift Wing information manager. “I enjoyed the trip so much that I plan on going on future trips if the time allows.”

Trips to the veterans’ home are organized quarterly; the next is scheduled for May 30 to participate in a Memorial Day remembrance ceremony.

“I really enjoyed myself,” said Rosemary Sauerwein, 375th Contracting Squadron. “I liked the way they can warm up to us even though we are strangers to them, but I think that is the military in them. I plan on going again, and hope I can get some more Department of Defense employees to go. ”

The female Airmen were inspired by many stories about the challenges the women veterans overcame in their time of serving.

“The trip to Quincy was fun, and it was nice getting to know a little bit about the veterans,” said Airman 1st Class Janeen Paladino, 375th Communications Squadron multimedia photographer. “They seemed happy to have us all come out and visit them. I also really enjoyed hearing the stories of the women veterans. It is definitely something that I can relate to.”