Whiteman Airmen complete home with Habitat for Humanity

  • Published
  • By Heidi Hunt
  • 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  Getting the keys to a brand new home always makes for an exciting day, especially when community members volunteered and dedicated time to build it.

Fifty-six Team Whiteman members volunteered more than 288 man-hours and helped build a house in Leeton, Mo., which was celebrated during a dedication ceremony for the Kinney family June 26.

Brig. Gen. Scott Vander Hamm, 509th Bomb Wing commander, and Col. Michael Wood, 442nd Maintenance Group commander, represented this Air Force Global Strike Command base, and its volunteers.

Chuck Cousins, construction chair and Leeton resident, said the groundbreaking for the 210 West Summerfield Ave., home was Oct. 3, 2010, and is the seventh home built by Habitat for Humanity of Johnson County.

"Team Whiteman easily provided the majority of the labor that went into building this house and proved indispensible during the build," said Mr. Cousins. "Their volunteer spirit, service before self attitudes, and sense of community speaks volumes. The board members for Habitat for Humanity Johnson County want to express our sincere gratitude for their help. We are honored to have Whiteman AFB call Johnson County Missouri home."

Master Sgt. Benjamin Huseman, 509th Civil Engineer Squadron operations support superintendent and board member, said he has worked on Habitat for Humanity projects in the past, but this was the first time he has been involved as a board member.

"I gained a lot of respect for the hard work that goes on behind the scenes to make these project a reality," said Sergeant Huseman. "Much of this work goes unnoticed, yet if it weren't completed, the volunteer efforts of those buildings the homes would be fruitless."

Sergeant Huseman said having the home in Leeton complete is a bittersweet celebration.

"On one hand I am excited for the family to move into their very own home and improve their quality of life," Sergeant Huseman said. "But at the same time I am saddened that there are more families that need and deserve the same opportunities, yet must wait for those opportunities to present themselves.

"It is my hope that as more people become involved we will be able to do more for those in need," Sergeant Huseman said. "While at the same time continue to demonstrate that Team Whiteman is more than just residents of Johnson County, but our neighbors, friends, and family as well."

During the ceremony, Mr. Tom Kinney thanked and recognized a list of individuals whose diligence, dedication and tireless effort made this build possible.

Dr. Dan Lowry, minister of the Christian Church in Leeton, said Team Whiteman's attitudes exemplified the military in outstanding ways and thanked them for volunteering their time, efforts and skills.

Other speakers and members present included Senator David Pearce and Mayor Gary King of Leeton, and Habitat for Humanity board members which were acknowledged during the dedication.

Mo's Home Builders from the University of Central Missouri also volunteered time toward the project.

Habitat for Humanity of Johnson County seeks to build affordable housing for a partner family through the efforts of volunteer labor and donations from the community.

The following from Whiteman AFB volunteered for the Habit for Humanity project:

Senior Master Sergeant
Darlene Buss, 509th Logistics Readiness Squadron

Master Sergeant
Tami Goodhart, 442nd Maintenance Operations Flight
Benjamin Huseman, 509th Civil Engineer Squadron
Martin Mullenbach. 509th Maintenance Group
Roberto Ramirez, 509th Maintenance Operation Squadron
Thomas Scheving, 509th Operations Support Squadron

Technical Sergeant
Eric Anderson, 442nd Medical Squadron
Claude Buell, 442nd Maintenance Squadron
Laura Doll, 509th LRS
Travis Fetterer, 509th LRS
John Karg, 509th LRS
John Leach, 509th LRS

Staff Sergeant
Ashleigh Barber, 509th OSS
Adam Boyd, 509th CES
Kristin Campbell, 509th LRS
Timothy Caudill, 442nd Communications Flight
Tonea Johnson, 509th LRS
George W. Keen, 509th LRS
David Loomis, 509th CES
Robert Mason, 509th Maintenance Squadron
Brandi Meyer, 442nd MDS
Heather Neblosky, 509th MXS
Ryan Prettyman, 509th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron
Homar Vallejo, 509th OSS
Joshua Varga, 509th MXG
Alden Vasquez, 509th LRS
Jamie Walker, 509th MXS
Antonio Washington, 131st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron

Senior Airman
Anthony Bojorguez, 509th OSS
Christopher Coon, 509th LRS
Andrew Deese, 509th LRS
Cesar DeLeon, 509th LRS
Andrew Harnden, 509th CES
Brent Healy, 509th LRS
William Lewis, 509th LRS
Christopher Palacio, 509th OSS
Whitney Parker, 509th OSS

Airman 1st Class
Alessandra Aceves, 509th OSS
Travis Barbee, 509th LRS
Greg Coburn, 509th LRS
Richard Greist, 509th LRS
David Kellums, 509th OSS
Bernard Links, 509th OSS
Dennis Myles, 509th OSS
Porsche Robinson, 509th LRS
Corle Ryle, 509th LRS
Christopher Sorondo, 394th Combat Training Squadron
Shawn Standridge, 509th LRS
Joyce Tucker, 509th CES
Vincent Vanalmen, 509th MXS
Kyle Willis, 509th OSS
Shawn Wyckoff, 509th LRS

Whiteman Civilians
James Boyle, 442nd LRS
Ms. Karin Moore, 509th LRS
Ted Watson, 509th LRS
Mrs. Maria Vasquez