Barksdale volunteers spread cheer during holiday season

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Terri Barriere
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  The Barksdale Enlisted Spouse Group will host its third annual Christmas card hand out program Dec. 18 at the Overton Brooks VA Medical Center in Shreveport, La., to help spread cheer to local veterans during the holiday season.

During the annual Christmas card program, purchased and hand-made Christmas cards are collected, sorted and given to veterans in the local community by the BESG and Airmen assigned to Air Force Global Strike Command.

Though the program is primarily hosted by the BESG, Program Director Rachel Penwell said the event is open to anyone who wants to help.

"In the past, many family members from both spouse groups, as well as military members have participated in the event," she said. "When we send the invitation out, we actually encourage people to have their spouse and children participate."

The idea for the cards for veterans program originated three years ago with Ms. Penwell and a fellow BESG member.

"We both really had a passion and wanted to do something for our veteran community - we wanted to show them that they are still very much appreciated," she said.

Ms. Penwell said they chose to adopt the veterans at the VA hospital because they'd learned that many of them didn't have family around.

"We took the project and ran with it," she said. "The first year we collected more than 1,000 signed and home-made cards - much more than we ever imagined.

Ms. Penwell recalls being amazed at the amount of cards they'd collected.

"I remember looking across my living room floor -- and there was just a sea of Christmas cards," she said. "After the event, I realized how much something so simple meant to the veterans, and the BESG decided this would be a program we would continue every year. I never knew such a simple act could bring so much joy."

Though the annual card hand-out is a group effort, Ms. Penwell said she would continue to do it even if the organization didn't, because of how much it means to the veterans.

"I participate because of how much it means to the veterans, many of who will spend the holiday season alone," she said. "I love seeing the reaction from the veterans when they are handed the cards. Many are shocked that they were even thought of."

Master Sgt. Kelly Walter, a returning volunteer assigned to the Eighth Air Force communications division, said the response to the volunteers varies from person to person, but the one thing that keeps her coming back is the joy they are able to bring - if even for just a few moments.

"I look forward to talking to each person and letting them share their stories. I let them know I appreciate their service and that we care," she said. "Some are very ill and just give simple thanks and don't care to talk, but others are so happy to get visitors and like to look through the cards with you and talk. Some of the older vets do enjoy telling you where they served and when and they also enjoy that we are so eager to listen."

The sergeant said that as an active-duty member herself, she thought it important to find ways to give back to those that served before her.

"I'm not quite sure what impact this might make in the community, but if even for those few moments it gives a vet stuck in a hospital a few moments of joy, then it is so worth it," she said. "We owe so much to our vets and it is just one small way to let them know that no matter what their circumstance is we know they are there and we appreciate them. Plus it gives them a chance to a have a visit if they want one, and to see someone other than the hospital staff. They know we are there because we want to be."

The group hopes to return to the hospital this year with at least 1,000 cards and plenty of volunteers.

"I just encourage everybody to reach out either through this program or another to help a veteran and show them they are not forgotten," said Sergeant Walter. "The holiday season is about giving and it is not the monetary gifts that matter to the heart. When the trees and decorations are all put away, it is the gift of your time and giving of yourself that will have mattered."