Airmen learn hospitality of New Yorkers during AF Week

  • Published
  • By Desiree N. Palacios
  • Air Force New Service
NEW YORK (AFNS) --  Air Force Week in New York City cranked into high gear during its second day as about 50 Airmen from Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J. toured the 9-11 memorial and the Freedom Tower Aug. 20.

"We here today at the tribute center," said Master Sgt. Charles Kramer, first sergeant of the 732nd Airlift Squadron at McGuire. "We're here to support Air Force Week New York City and one of our stops is to come down here to the World Trade Center site and take a look at this fabulous facility that these folks (New Yorkers) put together to memorialize everything that's happened during 9-11 and since then.

"It is an incredibly moving (experience), the exhibit halls are incredibly moving. Being able to see the faces of the victims, being able to see pieces of the actual World Trade Center and the stories that folks that left behind ... it's incredibly touching and moving."

Kramer was on Reserve status when 9-11 ocurred and, although he wasn't actively drilling, he was so moved after the 9-11 events that he wanted to be a part of what was coming and came back into the Reserve to serve out his commitment.

Kramer said he was really enjoying his experience during 2012 AF Week and getting close, shaking hands and sharing stories face to face with the local people.  "The response has been amazing (from the New Yorkers)," said Kramer. "You know folks have been coming up to us out on the streets thanking us for our service."

Capt. Jerome Rogers, an  aircraft maintenance officer from the 514th Maintenance Squadron, said, "It's been very exciting...going from the Intrepid to now out to the World Trade Center; its very exciting to experience from the New Yorkers walking with us...its just been...I'm awe struck."

Rogers explained the meaning of the memorial: "I was wowed at just how vast it was and it just really shows you nothing, and that's what the image that the World Trade Center site wanted to give you (people) is that sign of that void that has been left in the hearts of Americans and the families of the victims."

The VA Medical Center in the Bronx is the oldest VA facility in New York City. It is a teaching hospital, providing a full range of patient care services, with state-of-the-art technology as well as education and research. It holds 311 authorized hospital beds and 120 nursing home beds and operates several regional referral points including Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) and VISN referrals for Medical/Surgical subspecialties.

During the VA hospital tour, the Airmen were able to visit the spinal cord injury gym and the spinal cord damage research center.

The visitors also met with three patients participating in a research trial on a new product called the ReWalk Argo medical device. The device is a powered exoskeleton concept and provides user-initiated mobility; it consists of a light wearable brace support suit, which integrates actuation motors at the joints, an array of motion sensors, a computer system based on sophisticated control and safety algorithms and tailored rechargeable batteries. It is an alternative mobility solution to the wheelchair for individuals with severe walking impairments, enabling them to stand, walk, ascend/descent stairs and more.

"I never thought I'd be able to stand or walk again,  and thanks to this device I  now can," said patient Michael Kurys.

The evening ended with a screening of the movie, Red Tails, held aboard the Intrepid. Air Force officials, local residents and tourists waited for the movie to play at Pier 86. The movie represented Tuskegee Airman missions in World War II. More than five Tuskegee Airman were present for the event.

Gen Edward A. Rice, commander of the Air Education and Training Command welcomed the Tuskegee Airmen attending the screening.

"We are here to honor real heroes: Tuskegee Airmen," said Rice, introducing them to the crowd aboard the Intrepid.

"I know you are going to enjoy this movie," said Dr. Roscoe Brown, Tuskegee Airman. "One reason to enjoy it is because I helped to make it." Brown was one of 15 pilots to shoot down a German pilot.

"We have passed the baton.We helped to change the military with the expectations we overcame. We showed that excellence was our landmark...excellence helped to overcome the prejudice. The Tuskegee Airmen are very very proud of what we accomplished and we believe that we helped to change the society and we were the frontier of the civil rights movement because the civil rights movement showed that African Americans could do anything that anybody else could do and probably do it better. We did do it better!"



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