DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. -- Members of the 943rd Rescue Group’s junior enlisted private organization, the Super Six, organized a visit with veterans being treated at Tucson’s Veteran’s Administration Hospital August 1.
The morale event organized by Tech Sgt. Bryan Lewis, the club’s president, received volunteers from across the group, not just Super Six members. Senior non-commissioned officers and officers took the Super Six’s lead and visited their predecessors in the hospital over the weekend brightening the day of everyone involved.
“The veterans love seeing people in uniform,” said Master Sgt. Luke Johnson, coordinator, 943rd Airman and Family Readiness Center. “I work at the VA in my civilian job, and I see a marked change in the way the patients carry themselves when uniformed members come to visit.”
Johnson remarked that patients sat a little straighter in their wheelchairs when the 943rd RQG Airmen arrived to serve lunch over the weekend, and they beamed with joy as they shook hands and shared stories with the Reservists.
“I think this is such a great opportunity” said Tech Sgt. Josh Nason, 943rd Operational Support Flight. “All the veterans are smiling. Having them share their stories with us, puts a face and a name to our history. They are our living history, and we get a chance to literally sit here with them and thank them for their service, hearing from them what they’ve done and experienced. I’m grateful we had the chance to come out here and do this.”
Lewis said more than 25 Airmen signed up to serve lunch and visit during the event. Most carried lunch trays in the main dining room and listened to the war stories of veterans as they dined. Due to the large turn-out, several more Airmen choose to don protective clothing and enter hospital rooms where some veterans were isolated, or unable to leave.
“I couldn’t be more proud of our Airmen,” said Lt. Col. Sherrod Dorroh, commander, 943rd Mission Support Flight. “The Super Six has really been doing some outstanding things as evidenced by the success of this event, and really, several events over the year. They are just outstanding!”
The Super Six is a free, non-profit, professional private organization made up of members of the six junior enlisted paygrades. Their mission is to transform and motivate 943rd junior enlisted with committed Reserve Citizen Airmen. Their vision is to champion the best Air Force junior enlisted program and provide pathways for success to develop the leaders of tomorrow.
More information on the unit is available at www.facebook.com/943SuperSix.