Edwards Airmen receive by giving at veterans home Published Nov. 22, 2010 By Diane Betzler 95th Air Base Wing Public Affairs EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- A group of Airmen from Edwards had an idea about how to brighten Veterans Day for their fellow veterans staying at the William J. "Pete" Knight Veterans Home in Lancaster - planting flowers and visiting with the residents. The group came away themselves brightened by the experience. "We wanted to do something useful for the home and decided filling the flower beds with colorful plants and flowers was a good way to go," said Chief Master Sergeant David W. Gilmore, Jr., 95th Medical Group superintendent. The chief, along with two spouses and eleven Airmen from the 95th Force Support Squadron, 95th Medical Group and 31st Test and Evaluation Squadron, spent nearly three hours planting flowers on a cold and somewhat blustery Veterans Day, Nov. 11. The group planted a combination of plants, flowers and bulbs around the front of the facility creating an explosion of color that clearly says welcome to all those entering the home. Lowe's Home Improvement store in Lancaster supported their effort and gave them a 75 percent discount when purchasing the flowers, he said. "That was great! We bought $400 worth of plants, flowers and bulbs and it only cost us $100," the chief said, adding that Lowe's has always been a strong supporter of America's veterans. "It was a privilege to donate some of our time and plant winter flowers at the home," he said. Veterans Day is a special day to recognize veterans who have made so many personal sacrifices for their country, "Some of whom live in our very own veterans home here in Lancaster," he said. After planting, the Airmen and spouses were invited inside the cozy home for some hot chocolate and warm conversations with the resident vets, whom the Airmen call their brothers. "It's been a hectic week filled with celebrating veterans," said Lawrence Hawkins, supervising rehabilitation therapist at the home. The residents have been on the go visiting different memorial parks to pay tribute to veterans who are no longer with us, and attended two very special presentations, Hawkins said. Veterans Home residents attended a birthday party to celebrate the Marine Corps' 235th birthday, Nov. 10, and later that day attended an event at the Lancaster Art Gallery to witness Palmdale Mayor James Ledford and Lancaster High School history teacher Jamie Goodreau being honored by the Disabled American Veterans for their never-ending support of America's vets. Ms. Goodreau is also the creator of the yearly production of Pride of the Nation, an event that salutes the United States Armed Forces and teaches students about America and what it stands for and about the sacrifices the nation's veterans made and continue to make to keep the country free. A particularly rewarding highlight of the week for the local veterans home took place, fittingly, on Veterans Day, when Ruth Marr from the Veterans Citizen Home Committee presented Lisa Grod, William J. "Pete" Knight Veterans Home administrator, with a check for just under $124,000. The presentation took place at the Joshua Memorial Park in Lancaster. "What a wonderful gift," Ms. Grod said. "The money is being put into the Morale Welfare Recreation Fund and will be used for the benefit of the residents of our home," she said. Ms. Grod said the community's support for the veterans home residents is incredible, "Our residents are really enjoying interacting with the different organizations." Chief Gilmore identified the feeling members of his group came away with after their interaction with the resident vets. "I encourage everyone at Edwards to stop by the William J. "Pete" Knight Veterans Home to visit with our veterans," Chief Gilmore said. "The experience will be extremely rewarding," he said.