Local veterans attend AEDC VA picnic

  • Published
  • By Raquel March
  • AEDC/PA
ARNOLD AIR FORCE BASE, TENN. --  Veterans from the Tennessee Valley Healthcare System at the Alvin C. York Campus in Murfreesboro attended the AEDC VA Picnic on Oct. 3, where they received donated items and enjoyed special activities.

Tech. Sgt. Kristopher Boal, with the AEDC Test Support Division and the coordinator for the picnic, said giveaway items were provided by several local groups.

"The AEDC Spouses Club did a fantastic job at preparing cookies and baked goods - most of which contained no sugar as a diabetic option," Boal said.

The Arnold Community Council donated items to the local chambers of commerce for the veterans such as personal hygiene products and clothing. There were also surplus care packages, normally intended for Active Duty troops downrange, which were donated by Operation Caregiver.

The veterans received a barbeque meal and they were able to participate in a boat ride around Woods Reservoir, a horse drawn carriage ride around Arnold Village and listened to music performed by the band "John Westley Satterfield and his Fine Band." Boal said a few of the veterans "even got up to dance for a little while."

Boal expressed the importance of hosting an annual event such as the AEDC VA Picnic.

"The VA picnic is extremely important, not only to the veterans who it is in honor of; but for all of AEDC and the local community as well," he said. "It's one of many opportunities that we as an Air Force Base and a community can show support. Every veteran in attendance has fulfilled their service commitment in defense of our nation and are now hospitalized. It's such great feeling to have the opportunity to give a little back in appreciation for what they have done. For those who spend their lives as hospital patients, it is easy to understand that daily life can become hard to deal with. The VA picnic at Arnold AFB is one of the annual events the disabled veterans look forward to year after year and I am proud to have been a part of it."