Local veterans aid airmen overseas

When airmen around him in Korea needed dryers, Phil Lenfant reached out to Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3280 in Clovis.

Lenfant lived in Clovis while his wife, Col. Babette Lenfant, was commander of Cannon Air Force Base 27th Special Operations Mission Support Group.

Lenfant, a member of the post, reached out in search of suggestions about how money could be raised to help the airmen.

The airmen had two dryers for 40 people at Yongsan Army Garrison in Seoul, South Korea.

Lenfant said barracks that young single and unaccompanied airmen are living in at Yongsan have only basic quality of life necessities.

“There is no money for cleaning supplies for common areas, humidifiers and dehumidifiers and ‘touch of home’ stuff like toiletries,” he said.

To help provide the airmen a few touches of home, Lenfant called upon the Air Force Spouses Club, of which he is also a member.

As a response, VFW Post 3280 Commander Vernon Luce told Lenfant to simply submit his request for funds in writing. Then, at the monthly post meeting, Luce submitted it to the donation committee.

Luce said the post donates to local and other charities often.

“We look out for people, especially military,” VFW Post 3280 Quartermaster Roger Bartosiewicz said.

Last year, various groups at Cannon received 32 percent of the posts’ gross donations — more than $13,000, Bartosiewicz said.

The post donates between $70,000 and $80,000 a year to charities, he said.

Luce said as a member, Lenfant’s request was a priority. The post sent Lenfant a check for $500 and two more dryers were purchased.

Lenfant said the post has a reputation for being the first to step up and help others in need.

“For me, it means a lot knowing that when a need comes up to help our troops, you can reach back to veterans who themselves have sacrificed for their country and now continue to give a helping hand.

“This is particularly remarkable because this VFW post 3280 sits in a small community, and yet it has never hesitated to help beyond its relatively small sphere. It would probably be easier to support your immediate community and military facility's needs.

“To me, this speaks volumes about Middle America, and more importantly, Clovis and the veterans who live there,” Lenfant said.

Lenfant said actions of small communities like Clovis and organizations like VFW’s are one of the single most important pillars of support for active duty military.

“It is especially heartening when a generous VFW from a small community, both with a big heart, helps out airmen stationed on the other side of the globe in Korea,” he said.

Luce said the post had helped other causes across the world, such as a hospital in Germany where active military are sent when injured during service in Afghanistan and Iraq. The post donated $1,000.

Luce and Bartosiewicz said money the post donates is raised through slot machines in the post. The post is required by law to donate a percentage of gaming proceeds to charity.