Airmen Launch 'Care Strikes'

[unhappycamper]

Airmen Launch 'Care Strikes'
Air Force Print News | November 28, 2007

BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan -- For the last two months, a group of Airmen have been conducting what some are calling "care strikes," to enhance morale among servicemembers here.

Capt. Ken Valardi, the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing Chaplain and his assistant, Staff Sgt. Aaron Smith, began the project in September with the delivery of frozen treats to wing Airmen. When the weather turned cold, the weekly deliveries turned to hot chocolate and coffee, especially valued by flightline maintainers and security forces Airmen working frigid night shifts.

"It accomplishes a lot of things," said Chaplain Valardi, who added that the operation usually reaches between 50 and 60 people each time. "It boosts their morale, it lets them know people care, and it allows us to meet them and get to know them."

In addition to Sergeant Smith and Chaplain Valardi, the visits also include Master Sgt. Ronald Lajeunesse of the wing's Military Equal Opportunity office, who often distributes phone cards and hand and foot warmers to the servicemembers he visits.

"The chaplain and I have a similar goal," said Sergeant Lajeunesse. "My goal is to get out to all the Airmen, assess their morale and the overall human relations climate. So we partnered to meet those needs."

According to Chaplain Valardi, the visits aren't only for the benefit of Airmen, but have included just about anyone working the night shift around the flightline, regardless of their service.


Rest of article at: http://www.military.com/features/0,15240,157146,00.html