Team AEDC pays tribute to veterans by hosting annual VA Picnic

  • Published
  • By Philip Lorenz III
  • AEDC/PA
Arnold Air Force Base, Tenn. --  Blue skies and seasonably cooler weather greeted approximately 100 military veterans who came to Arnold Engineering Development Center (AEDC) Oct. 1 to enjoy the annual VA Picnic, which Arnold Air Force Base has hosted since 1992. 

Rick Orzino, an Arnold Community Council (ACC) member and a former Air Force chief master sergeant and senior enlisted advisor at AEDC, said this yearly event has particular significance for him. 

"When I got here in 1989, we used to go to the veteran's hospitals during Christmas and sing songs and bring a few gifts and try to cheer up the vets," he recalled. "And it was suggested to somebody from the VFW that we ought to have some kind of picnic for the troops out here. 

"I discussed that with Col. Bill Rutley [AEDC commander from August 1991 - June 1993] and he thought it was a good idea. So we got a group together and we started it around 1992 and it's grown and gets better every year with all the great enlisted people and all the other people here at AEDC." 

ACC members, active duty Air Force enlisted personnel and officers as well as Aerospace Testing Alliance (ATA) employees, including a group from the AEDC Fire Department, joined forces to volunteer to host an event that many of them felt privileged to be a part of and something worthwhile to both the veterans and themselves. 

The veterans were treated to hot dogs and hamburgers with all the trimmings, and had an opportunity to sing along or dance to karaoke and take a boat ride on Woods Reservoir. 

However, according to 2nd Lt. Antonio "Tony" Brunson, with the 717th Test Squadron, and many others at the picnic, the best part for both the veterans and their hosts was the chance to interact and learn more about history from those who helped to make it. 

Steve Macon, fire fighter/crew chief with the AEDC Fire Department, was among those volunteers hosting the vets from the VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System's Alvin C. York Murfreesboro Campus, Murfreesboro's Veterans Community Care Center, (VCCC), and some group homes for veterans in the same area. 

"As firefighters we have a bond with our service men and women due to the fact that we ourselves serve in a paramilitary capacity," he explained. "We have an idea what it's like to miss holidays, birthdays and special occasions due to duty requirements. 

"I believe the veterans appreciate being appreciated," he continued. "The picnic is a simple way to get together and share the camaraderie of brotherhood and service. I had the opportunity to speak to one of the gentlemen there. After I told him of my personal appreciation for his service to our country, he slowly wiped a tear from his aged brow. Regarding veteran stories, like my father who served in the Korean War era, veterans tend to be discrete concerning details." 

Cathy Phillips, an ACC member who works for ServPro of Memphis, said she and a coworker thought it was important to take part in the annual event at Arnold. 

"We just wanted to come out and join the community in supporting our veterans, those who fought for our country," she said. "It's near and dear to our hearts personally, but also near and dear to the strength of our country and the community." 

Phillips, who had several uncles who fought in Korea and one aunt who served as a nurse in World War II, said interacting with the veterans was like meeting members of one's own family. 

"It is a family sense - that's the whole thing when you think about supporting your veterans - when you look at these men and women who are older, you can relate to the grandfather or the father who is no longer with you," she said. 

Occupational Therapist Joe Olmstead, who has been with the VA in Murfreesboro for six years, said the VA Picnic at AEDC is significant on many levels. 

"This event provides an opportunity for these veterans to experience an event within the community as well as with fellow veterans, current and past," he said. "This allows for interaction which many times are limited, given the environment in which these veterans live. It also provides for individual and group recognition that many times has been overlooked, as you can 'sense a feeling of pride' from attending this event." 

Olmstead, who served in the Army's field artillery, both in the U.S. and overseas, said that like many others at the picnic, he also has a personal connection with the veterans. 

"My father also served in the U.S. Army infantry," he said. "We both served in Korea."
Olmstead said the VA Picnic is clearly well planned and organized. 

"The leadership from top to bottom expresses such an active interest, as well as takes an active role within this event," he said. "This is really well demonstrated. The pomp and circumstance, the pageantry if you will; it all makes this event so well received and appreciated. 

"In particular, one veteran, attending for the first time, was served by the base commander. This really left an impression with this man, as he has yet to stop talking about this, as well as smiling. I do not think this singular token of unexpected respect will soon, if ever, be forgotten. It is simply amazing what an impression from an act such as this will leave on somebody; as it was just so positive."