Annual VA Picnic at Arnold - tying the past with the present

  • Published
  • By Philip Lorenz III
  • AEDC/PA
ARNOLD AIR FORCE BASE, Tenn. --  More than 80 military veterans got a warm reception when they arrived at the Arnold Lakeside Club for Arnold Engineering Development Center's annual VA Picnic on Wednesday, Oct. 3. 

Chip Stepanek, director of Aerospace Testing Alliance's performance management group, was one of the first to greet the veterans, who are from the VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System's Alvin C. York Murfreesboro Campus, the Veterans Community Care Center and the Tennessee Veterans Home. 

"This was my first VA Picnic -- I was excited," he said. "AEDC has a long history of serving a certain role and these veterans who came to this picnic have served in different roles. We're all part of a bigger team that has the same ultimate mission to defend the country." 

Chief Master Sgt. Everett Smith, center superintendent, said the veterans attending this year's event helped pave the way for all the service members who have followed. 

"The nation should be very proud and grateful for all these veterans have done for us," he said. "This was a great day to have them visit -- we've had a great time with them, especially listening to the stories they have to share. They enjoy comparing what things were like when they were in the military with the way things are now. These veterans are part of our heritage and history -- they're American heroes." 

Tech. Sgt. Eboney McClain, who works in the Operations Center, said this event will be the second one she has volunteered for since coming to AEDC. 

"I like to come out here and hear the veteran's stories and it's important to show someone appreciates them -- that's why I do it," she said. "I wasn't here at last year's picnic because I was in Iraq. After being there and then hearing these veteran's stories -- there really is no comparison. I understand now how much more they had to go through." 

Harry Smith, a resident at the VA's Alvin C. York Campus in Murfreesboro, and a 20-year Army veteran who served in Vietnam, said the best part of coming to AEDC for the picnic is "the way people treat us."
 
Dr. David Elrod, ATA general manager, said he was thankful to be able to participate in the event. 

"We are here to show appreciation for these veterans who were willing to stand in harms way on our behalf," he said. "Without their sacrifice, we could not enjoy the freedoms that we often take for granted. I am proud of AEDC's support for this event. We have a good mix of our folks helping here, active duty and DoD personnel, contractors, and community members. The breadth and depth of that support is a strong sign of appreciation for our veterans." 

AEDC Fire Chief Daryle Lopes and other members of the base fire department served the food -- hamburgers, hot dogs, beans, Cole slaw and chips. Other volunteers handed out cookies, coffee and soft drinks. 

"This was just an excellent way to give something back to the veterans who have given everything to us," Lopes said. "I'm a 26-year Air Force veteran and I think most of my folks here are veterans or have family members who were -- they can definitely identify with these veterans." 

Darnell Ortner, a driver/operator with AEDC's Fire Department, said he volunteered for last year's VA Picnic and got some of his coworkers to participate in this event. 

"I think the veterans really enjoy it, it gives them something to do - to talk with other veterans and enjoy a change of scene," he said. "I'm a Vietnam veteran and I enjoy it because some of these guys were Vietnam veterans, too." 

A number of the veterans took short boat rides on Woods Reservoir after sharing a picnic lunch with volunteers from AEDC and surrounding communities, including Arnold Community Council President Harry Brittain, other ACC members and the local chapter of the Air Force Association. 

Brittain, who participated in last year's VA Picnic, said this type of event provides an opportunity to honor those who have served the country and made tremendous sacrifices for all citizens. 

"I was in the National Guard many years ago, but these fellows have been to war, they've served us well and we just need to recognize them and support them in any way we can. The Air Force Sergeants Association does a great job of heading this up and we're just proud to be here to contribute some money and volunteers to help with the event. 

"Mike Niederhauser, a Tullahoma businessman and chamber member, has done a great job this year of getting items to go in the 'Goody Bags.' The community has really come together, especially in Tullahoma, Winchester and Manchester, to support this event." 

Col. Harold Arata, commander of the 704th Mission Support Group, said the annual VA Picnic is an important tradition - one worth perpetuating. 

"This event is a way of giving back to those who have served their country, who have kept America strong and free," he said. "What we do at Arnold with an event like this is to tie the past to the present - this is a continual thing." 

Financial Service NCO Staff Sgt. Kimberly Jacobs coordinated the event.