First shirts support AFEV

  • Published
  • By Second Lt. Loring Ross
  • 14th Flying Training Wing
COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --  On Oct 18th the Columbus Air Force Base First Sergeants' Council donated to the Air Force Enlisted Village and visited the Hawthorn House in Shalimar, Fla.

Chief Master Sgt.Vance Kondon, 14th Flying Training Wing Command Chief, said that for him, the trip to Shalimar was an important one.

"I have been donating to the Air Force Enlisted Village for years through the Air Force Assistance Fund because of what they do, but seeing the Hawthrone House, Bob Hope Village, their facilities, and even more importantly the widows that live there has left an everlasting impression on me," said Kondon. "The stories the First Sergeants and I heard from some of the residents we met and of the positive impact the Village has had on their lives clearly shows me that this is what we mean when we talk about taking care of our Air Force family. Chief Binnicker and the Air Force Enlisted Village team are accomplishing an incredibly noble mission."

The Air Force Enlisted Village is a non-profit charity organization created in 1967 to provide housing and assistance to widows of enlisted airmen. The Hawthorn House is a two-story assisted living facility with 64 suites for surviving spouses of enlisted Air Force members. The maintenance, utilities and facility are supported almost entirely through charitable donations by organizations like the Air Force Assistance Fund and the First Sergeants' Council.

The Columbus AFB First Sergeant's Council raised $1,000 for the Enlisted Village after hosting quarterly Steak Burn lunches throughout the year. During their visit to Shalimar, the First Sergeants and Command Chief spoke with retired Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Jim Binnicker who was very appreciative of their visit.

"Not only did the Columbus First Sergeant Council raise funds for the Air Force Enlisted Village, but they delivered the check personally," said Binnicker. "We are very grateful for their generous support and the money will certainly help. However, these airmen performed a greater act of kindness by visiting with our distinguished residents and spending time with them."

Binnicker was the ninth Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force from July 1, 1986 to July 31, 1990 and now serves as the AFEV President and CEO. Chief Binnicker served in the Air Force for 33 years including tours in base and wing operations and as the senior enlisted adviser for 12th Air Force, Headquarters Pacific Air Forces and Headquarters Tactical Command, and served one tour in Vietnam.

One of the First Sergeants from the Council, Master Sgt. Shawn Andrews, 14th Medical Group First Sergeant, elaborated on one of Chief Binnicker's comments during their visit, "One thing he stressed was that the Village has supported many First Sergeants as well! There were several examples of a Shirt calling him up asking for help for a family in trouble. The AFEV has not turned away a single Shirt that needed help. That's a great relationship that other First Sergeants have built, one that hopefully we helped to strengthen with our support."

The First Sergeant's Council is committed to serving Active Duty, Guard and Reserves, Civilian workforce, Retirees, and the dependents that support them. Their mission is to promote the morale, welfare and professionalism of the entire Columbus AFB community while fulfilling the needs and interests of Department of Defense families. Every dollar the Council raises goes to accomplishing this mission. They support Airmen through random acts of kindness; like paying for a person's groceries, hosting thanksgiving dinners and coordinating the base's Christmas Angel tree for local military dependents.

The Columbus AFB First Sergeant's Council is hosting another Steak Burn lunch on Friday, Nov. 15 in the Chapel Annex.