CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
An Airman's Attic volunteer from the 437th Mission Support Squadron Airmen and Family Readiness Flight received a presidential pin from President George Bush when he visited the base July 24.
Marian Jones was nominated for a presidential award for her volunteer service and received the pin as an award for the South Carolina region from the President.
Marian Jones, a Minnesota native, has been volunteering on Charleston AFB for 13 years. Her husband, Bill Jones, also volunteers at the A&FRF. When they retired in 1971 from Myrtle Beach AFB, S.C., they chose to live in the Charleston area because of Charleston AFB and their military benefits.
During the first year in their new home, flooding displaces many homes. They received 19 inches of rain and lost everything.
"If it wasn't for Charleston AFB, we would not have made it through the flood," said Mrs. Jones. "The Airmen on base provided a room for us in billeting and helped us survive. We will never forget what they did for us."
Mrs. Jones said this all happened before the base exchange and commissary were built. She remembers sitting in the snack bar of the shopette asking her husband what they were going to do. After receiving help from the base, she and her husband have wanted to return the favor ever since.
At the Airman's Attic, donations are taken every day of the week. Behind those donations are volunteers who provide the man hours to work at the Airman's Attic.
Judy Butler, volunteer coordinator, works Monday through Friday tasking out volunteers. These volunteers include Jill Knox, June Griggs, Kenny Flesher and Hollie Wells. The staff at the A&FRF depends heavily on the volunteers to help with the Airman's Attic, Loan Closet and Food Pantry.
"Our volunteers bring unique talent and have unique reasons for volunteering, but the common thread is to give back to the Air Force," said Betsy Crump, A&FRF community readiness consultant. "Without our dedicated volunteers, the Airman's Attic would simply not exist because it is not a required function of the Airman and Family Readiness Flight, although it is much needed and highly utilized by our Airmen."
The Airman's Attic accepts donations of all sorts from lightly used home appliances to baby clothes and toys, televisions, furniture and household goods.
"I wanted to volunteer because I was a military spouse for 20 years and the Air Force was good to us," said Mrs. Jones. "This was my chance to give back. It's so rewarding to see these young Airmen come in to this Airman's Attic and to find things to make their lives better."
Over time, Mrs. Jones has seen Air Force One land on many occasions. When it landed this time, it had a new meaning for her and her husband.
After landing, President Bush greeted base leadership then made a beeline straight to Mrs. Jones. He approached her and after handing her a presidential pen, he then thanked her for serving this country and this base for the past 13 years.
"I told the president after he thanked me, 'I pray for you and I want to thank you for what you do for America,'" said Mrs. Jones. "Then he gave me a hug."
When it comes down to helping Team Charleston, Mrs. Jones couldn't feel more at home.
"When I volunteer, I volunteer for the people of Charleston," said Mrs. Jones. "I am driven by the people on base and the people who continue to do our mission. I'm just happy at the end of the day that I can say I made a difference in someone's life."