News>Hickam motorcycle team spends holiday thanking veterans
Photos
Lt. Col. Michael Benham, the 13th Air Force chief of safety, greets a veteran from Tripler Army Medical Center's Community Living Center in Honolulu, Hawaii during a visit by the Hickam Green Knights Motorcycle club on Veterans Day, Nov. 11. The group spent time handing out commemorative U.S. flags that reflect the spirit of Veterans Day. The bikers also helped the veterans move about the center and took them outside for a quick view of their bikes which filled a large portion of the parking lot. (Air Force photo /Tech. Sgt. Kerry Jackson)
A veteran from Tripler Army Medical Center's Community Living Center in Honolulu, Hawaii shows Senior Airman Andres Aponte, a finance technician from the 15th Comptroller Squadron at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, his family photo album during a visit by the Hickam Green Knights Motorcycle club on Veterans Day, Nov. 11. The group spent time handing out commemorative U.S. flags that reflect the spirit of Veterans Day. The bikers also helped the veterans move about the center and took them outside for a quick view of their bikes which filled a large portion of the parking lot. (Air Force photo/ Tech. Sgt. Kerry Jackson)
by Tech. Sgt. Kerry Jackson
13th Air Force Public Affairs
11/16/2009 - HICKAM AIR FORCE BASE, Hawaii -- Veterans Day was not just another day off for a team of Hickam motorcycle enthusiasts who spent the day honoring area veterans.
Bright and early on the morning of Nov. 11, 20 Hickam Green Knights geared up and headed off for Tripler Army Medical Center's Community Living Center to make sure the former servicemembers knew full well that their sacrifices were not forgotten.
The Hickam Air Force Base Green Knights is a local military motorcycle club that promotes safety and builds camaraderie among Airmen and other military members in the Hawaii community.
"There is nothing like being able to thank veterans who have fought the hard fight and made tremendous sacrifices for our country," said Tech. Sgt. Gary Miles, a 13th Air Force Spectrum Manager. "I think we all are forever grateful for their sacrifices, but sometimes we forget to tell them how much we appreciate them. The very least I can do is make the trip to visit them and tell them personally how I feel."
The team spent time handing out commemorative U.S. flags that reflect the spirit of Veterans Day. The bikers also helped the veterans move about the center and took them outside for a quick view of their bikes.
"The veterans were really thankful that we made the trip to visit them, and they certainly were interested in seeing our bikes which filled a good portion of the parking lot there," said Senior Airman Andres Aponte, a 15th Comptroller Squadron finance technician. "This was a great way to spend Veterans Day, alongside other veterans as well as senior veterans that have done so much for our country."
