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92nd LRS Airmen bring holiday cheer to veterans

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Janelle Patiño
  • 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  Twenty-six Airmen from the 92nd Logistics Readiness Squadron decorated the Spokane Veterans Home in Spokane, Dec. 2.

For 14 consecutive years, Airmen have taken the time to spread holiday cheer for veterans by putting up wreaths, Christmas trees and lights throughout the facility.

“It started small a couple years ago when Airmen showed up to decorate the Air Force room,” said Charles Rager, 92nd LRS unit training manager. “It’s grown over the years where more volunteers from our squadron show up to decorate the whole facility to include the dayroom and rooms dedicated to each of the military services.”

One of the main reasons Airmen volunteer is to give back and show their appreciation to veterans, Rager shared.

“It humbles me because hearing what they went through during war,” he said. “In addition, the ‘thank yous’ and smiles from veterans are more than enough for every volunteer that shows up to decorate the facility.”

Most of the supplies and decorations used come from donations from members of the staff, families of veterans and volunteers.

“The main reason we do this is to bring Christmas spirit to our veterans,” Rager added. “Similar to those who are deployed and are away from family, veterans without a family feel the same way during the holidays, but in a different perspective.”

According to Airman 1st Class Megan Parker, who has volunteered for two years, knowing that what she’s doing makes those who served before her happy, is all worth it.

“It’s humbling to know that I get to help spread the holiday cheer with individuals who have risked their lives for the country,” Parker said. “Decorating the place they live is just a small token of how much we appreciated them.”

At the end of the day, the main goal for volunteers is to give veterans, especially those who don’t have families, a happy holiday season.