Munitions storage shop supports its own

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Joshua Stevens
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  Recently an Ellsworth Airman was notified his mother was diagnosed with breast cancer and would be undergoing chemotherapy; as a show of goodwill and support, members of his work center, the 28th Munitions Squadron munitions storage shop, shaved their heads June 27 as a symbol of their commitment to him and his mother.

"The storage shop shaving their heads for the support of my mom almost brought me to tears," said Airman 1st Class Aaron Voigt, 28 MUNS munitions storage crewmember. "It is amazing how much it meant to me and how much of a brotherhood we have."

Initially Airman Voigt only planned to shave his head himself, but once his fellow coworkers caught wind, they were there to support him.

"The idea was brought up, and it started rolling from there," said Tech. Sgt. David House, 28 MUNS munitions storage assistant NCO in charge. "Fourteen shop members ended up shaving their heads."

The symbolic gesture struck the hearts of those who work within the shop.

"Airman Voigt is part of the AMMO storage family - we always support our family," Sergeant House said.

"It means a great deal to me to support him," said Senior Airman Cody Sampson, 28 MUNS munitions storage crewmember. "We have been friends for a while now, and his mother claims me as a son she's never met. I feel like I am going through this with him too, because I recently lost a grandmother to cancer."

It only took one week after Airman Voigt found out about his mother for shop members to take action; soon after the shavings, Airman Voigt told his mother about what his coworkers had done.

"I told my mom about it, and she was stoked and amazed by the whole thing," Airman Voigt said. "She was so thankful and happy to have the support of the whole shop behind her; it was a very emotional moment."

"She was speechless," Sergeant House said. "She said it made her cry that we would do something like this. She personally called and thanked everyone in the shop for their support."

Munitions storage shop workers recognized how their actions reflected the strength of the unit's camaraderie.

"The camaraderie is amazing, and the support shown is remarkable," Sergeant House said. "This action makes us feel like we are truly the best storage shop in the Air Force."

"It means not only do we support each other, but our families as well," Airman Sampson said.

Helping Airman Voigt and his mother cope is not something Sergeant House takes lightly.

"We didn't do this for the recognition," he said. "We did this to show our support. It's very serious what Airman Voigt and his family are going through. Being able to bring smiles to their faces during such a tragic time speaks volumes. Sometimes the little things produce the biggest results.

The support offered by his unit will not soon be forgotten by Airman Voigt and his mother. 

"I just want to say 'thank you' for everything the 28 MUNS storage section has done for me and my mom," Airman Voigt said. "It really means the world to my whole family. I know the storage shop has each other's backs no matter what."