Edwards AFSA celebrate AF birthday with local vets

  • Published
  • By Rebecca Amber
  • Staff writer
LANCASTER, Calif. --  The William J. "Pete" Knight Veterans Home was filled with the unmistakable smell of barbecue Sept. 18, as Edwards Air Force Sergeants Association members prepared for an Air Force birthday party.

Seven AFSA members cooked and served hot dogs and hamburgers to the Lancaster veterans home residents in celebration of the Air Force's 67 years.

Robert Sotler, 412th Communications Squadron, wing cyber surety supervisor, was joined by retired Navy pilot Andy Andrews in cutting the birthday cake.

"Andy is our oldest pilot. Even though he's not necessarily an Air Force pilot, he flew Corsairs and Hellcats in WWII and he has such an interest in the Air Force," said Lawrence Hawkins, supervising rehabilitation therapist. "He worked aerospace after he retired and he still has a pilot's license and actively flies even though he's 93; it's really something."

The Air Force birthday is an annual event for AFSA and the veterans home, one that Hawkins considers a highlight of the year.

"We don't always have people come and show that they care about us and not only did they show up, they brought cake, laughs, the whole deal; I loved it," said Army veteran Larry Baker. "We are just so grateful that people came out and showed us love and gave us the attention that we crave. We all need each other."

AFSA hosts other events for the veterans home throughout the year including POW/MIA day and Monday night football parties during the football season.

"They come out for the Super Bowl and it's just this big party," said Hawkins. "They have a blast and its fun just to see that age doesn't matter. They're all sitting there yelling at the screen and yelling at the referees; you really just see the age barrier is just gone."

Senior Airman Kassandra VanBeek, 412th CS, cyber surety technician, added, "I think it's important because we want them to remember that they're not forgotten and they are included in this whole scope of things and their memory will live on for many, many years."

The birth of the Air Force on Sept. 18, 1947, revolutionized how the U.S. military engages in war. Today's Air Force is comprised of more than 680,000 Airmen, made up of active duty, reservists, guardsmen and civilians, who support more than 5,600 aircraft, 450 intercontinental ballistic missiles and 63 satellites. Today's Air Force is the world's preeminent air, space and cyberspace force with an ability to rapidly adapt to uncertainty, ensuring future success.