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Heroes of three wars visit Shaw

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Earon Brown
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  Members of the Park Pointe Village Retirement Community toured the 20th Fighter Wing during one of their day trips, Jan. 16.

The visit provided Airmen and Soldiers of Team Shaw an opportunity to meet with their military predecessors, as a number of the attendees were veterans from World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War.

Of the 30 retirees visiting from Park Pointe Village, located in Rock Hill, 100 miles northwest of Shaw AFB, 28 were veterans of an armed conflict. The group represented only half of Park Pointe Village's Veterans Group whose combined time of service ranges from 1940 to 1994.

All four branches of service within the Department of Defense were represented by the group, with ranks of the retirees ranging from E-5 to O-6. Together the group encompassed a wide set of missions and specialties including pilot, infantry, airborne, medical corpsman, submarine crew, combat engineer, crew chief, radio operator, research and development, and commanders to name a few.

The two non-veteran members of the group were a part of the Park Pointe Village Aviation Club, which shares over half of its membership with the veterans group. While no flight experience is necessary to be in the club, the two representatives themselves are both private pilots.

During their tour of the base, the retirees' first stop was the 79th Fighter Squadron where the group was given insight on the mission and capabilities of the 20th FW. Following the stop at the 79th was a visit to Wing Weapons Standardization where the group was briefed by load crew members and given the opportunity to see static displays of ordnance used by Shaw's F-16 Fighting Falcon pilots.

"It was very clear to all of the veterans, how proud the team members were of their job and their ability to perform well," said Boyd Gilbert, Park Pointe Village Veterans Group coordinator and a retired Air Force colonel. "They are a very motivated and professional group of people."

The visit to Shaw also included an informal luncheon at the Carolina Skies and Conference Center. The luncheon gave the retired service members an opportunity to share their own experiences as well as hear those of the current generation of Airmen and Soldiers.

"Our veterans particularly enjoyed having lunch with active-duty personnel from all of the organizations at Shaw AFB and learning about the details of their respective missions," said Gilbert.

"I thought this luncheon was an awesome opportunity to meet and listen to what these great men have done for our country," said Airman 1st Class Jessica Estrada, 28th Operational Weather Squadron weather journeyman. "It was very humbling to talk to those who stood before us and hear the first person accounts of stories we grow up learning about in history class. We stand where we do now because of their achievements and sacrifices."

"Speaking to a group that included former nuclear engineers, corpsman, aircraft maintainers and pilots was interesting and definitely an educational experience for me," said Capt. Jennifer Mitchum, Family Health Clinic nurse. "The veterans are all so proud of their time spent in the military and are so gratified by what we are currently doing each and every day. I love my job in the AF, but feeling and seeing the support of our veterans makes it even more special."

Following the luncheon, the visitors were treated to a driving tour of the base which would conclude their day at Shaw.

The day itself left a lasting impression according to all the service members involved, both active and retired.

"Our community's veterans are very grateful for what the organizations at Shaw AFB are doing to defend our freedom and protect our nation's security interests," Gilbert concluded. "Thank you, again, for the great base visit for our veterans."