Airmen volunteer at Enlisted Village Thanksgiving feast

  • Published
  • By Jodi Jordan
  • Air Force Enlisted Village
SHALIMAR, Fla. --  It's often said that the Air Force is a family, and nowhere is that more apparent than at the Air Force Enlisted Village during the holidays. Thanksgiving and Christmas here are times when the active duty airmen of today get to visit with their extended Air Force family - the residents at the AFEV.

The AFEV in Shalimar, Fla., provides a home for the surviving spouses of enlisted airmen. More than 400 people live at the three locations near Eglin Air Force Base. They are enlisted widows, widowers and couples, and most of them in their 70's and 80's. The organization hosts holiday dinners for its residents, and help from active duty volunteers from Hurlburt Field and Eglin Air Force Base is a big part of the events, said AFEV events coordinator Lisa McMullin. "It's great that they take the time to do this," she said. "We couldn't do it without them."

Airmen are the set-up crew, the servers and the dishwashers at these events. They usually work two or three hour shifts, and they handle most of the heavy lifting. But despite the work involved, volunteers get back more than they give, said one Airman.

"We love to come out to the Enlisted Village and talk with the residents," said Master Sgt. Andrew Marulis, a volunteer from the 33rd Maintenance Squadron at Eglin. "Their stories from when they were in the Air Force are amazing. I always learn something when I'm here."

AFEV President and CEO Jim Binnicker said he is "amazed" by the dedication of the Airmen who give up their own holidays to volunteer at the Enlisted Village. "Consider how busy they are in their Air Force positions, with deployments, and exercises and the day-to-day mission, and they still find time to give of themselves," Binnicker said. "But then I realize, that's just the kind of Airmen we have in our Air Force today. All I can say is 'thank you,' and to let you know how proud you have made this old Chief." Binnicker was also the 9th Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force.