News-Info-Alerts

To: ALL

From: Andi Wolos & Bob Necci

(POW-MIA InterNetwork)

Re: More Good People

Date: April 17, 2001

"Reservists salute fallen comrades with elbow grease

ANDREWS AIR FORCE BASE, Md. (AFPN) -- When it comes to paying respect to America's war dead, some Air Force reservists here do more than march in parades or place flowers at graves.

Each second Sunday of the month, April through November, eight to 50 members of Air Force Reserve Command's 459th Airlift Wing turn out to wash the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and the Korean War Veterans Memorial in Washington.

Armed with buckets of soap and water, long-handled brushes and water hoses, the reservists appear more than an hour before opening time so as not to interfere with visitors.

"This gives us an opportunity to reflect and hopefully do something worthwhile," said Master Sgt. Kenneth Curry, a Vietnam War veteran and first sergeant of the 459th Maintenance Squadron. "It helps us remember what we did and what our comrades did.

"You can't help but feel moved by what this wall represents," he said pointing to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

The Andrews reservists, other service members, and volunteers from civic organizations have been washing the memorials for several years. (Courtesy of AFRC News Service)"