JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. –
In celebration of Veterans Day, members of Joint Base Charleston volunteered by delivering bagged lunches to veterans during a mobile food drive.
“The mobile food drive was an opportunity to go out and serve over 200 veterans in a low-income area,” said Tech. Sgt. Cary Thomas, 628th Contracting Squadron NCO in charge of the services flight. “We met at the V.A. hospital and packed big brown bagged lunches with donated food for all the veterans.”
With volunteers from both the air base and the weapons station, Thomas said it was a joint effort from several helping agencies on base.
“I brought 15 volunteers to help with the program,” said Thomas. “There was a combination of the Navy, the Citadel and private organizations on base. With the interaction of the services, this was a true Joint Base Charleston effort.”
The importance of giving back to previous generations while learning about their experiences in the process was a big part for Thomas.
“I think it’s important for the veterans to see us out there to know they’re not forgotten,” said Thomas. “A lot of the veterans stopped and had conversations with us, telling war stories and encouraging us to hang in there.”
Seeing how many veterans showed up for the event put things in perspective for 2nd Lt. Joseph Alexander, 628th Contracting Squadron contract specialist.
“Seeing the cars all in line wrapped around the corner really put me in awe,” said Alexander. “These veterans had a need, a need which myself and these volunteers had an opportunity to meet. I’m thankful for all the volunteers who were moved to serve and I hope the effort had a positive impact.
Thomas said the veterans got help in the form of free lunches, while the volunteers got help by learning from their predecessors.
“I think it was a positive effect on the people who volunteered and the veterans we helped,” said Thomas. “The veterans all took an extra minute to stop and thank us for being there and we were trying to thank them for what they’ve done for us. It was amazing to see them stop and shake our hands and more than once, thank us for not forgetting about them.”