LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. –
More than 30 Langley Airmen paid tribute May 19 to fallen Airmen, Soldiers, Marines and Sailors who perished fighting in the Vietnam and Korean Wars.
The annual trip to the nation's capital is organized by the local Chapter 358 of the Air Force Sergeant Association, in which chapters from as far as South Carolina join together to sweep, scrub, and spray the Vietnam Wall and Korean War Veterans Memorials.
This year more than 80 personnel went on permissive temporary duty assignment or used leave days to honor those fallen soldiers before them.
"It was a privilege for us to honor those who came before us, their sacrifice, and their heroism," said Senior Master Sgt. Chuck Frizzell, 1st Medical Support Squadron biomedical equipment maintenance chief.
The task meant something different to every person who was able to be a part of this experience.
"We got to repay and respect the true heroes who laid their lives on the line," said Airman 1st Class Jordan Tompkins, 71st Fighter Squadron crew chief. "It really puts into perspective how this country has gone so far and what we have had to do to get here."
"We perform our duty, our job, every day," said Senior Airman Angela Gammage 30th Intelligence Squadron signal analyst instructor. "But it's a different duty when you come down here. When you are washing down the walls the names become real. You get overwhelmed when you see all the names and realize all these people have died serving their country, doing their duty."
The overall consensus of the participants was that everyone should wash the Vietnam Wall or Korean Memorial Wall at least once in their career. It's a humbling experience for all who do it.
"The Air Force Sergeant Association is the largest lobbying organization on Capitol Hill," said Tech. Sgt. Pamela Krill, 735 Supply Chain Management Group weapon system analyst. "They fight for the rights for everyone in the military to get such things as pay increases, better living facilities, and health care. "
Enlisted personnel who would like to join AFSA and participate in events such as this can contact AFSA president Master Sgt. Robert Casagrande or Airmen's activity coordinator for Division 3 Staff Sgt. Dion Lewis.