Team Cannon gives back

link Courtesy photo

Members of the 27th Special Operations Logistics Readiness Squadron pose with Jack Lapp, retired U.S. Air Force technical sergeant, and his wife Mavis, after they selflessly volunteered their time and resources to help the Lapps move their personal belongings from Clovis to Lubbock. These Cannon Air Force Base Air Commandos planned and implemented the move when standard operating procedures said it couldn’t be done.

Men and women of the 27th Special Operations Logistics Readiness Squadron here were faced with an opportunity to go above and beyond their day-to-day operations, and they selflessly seized it.

Jack Lapp, a former United States Air Force technical sergeant who retired in 1979, came into the LRS Personal Property office requesting assistance relocating to Lubbock using his retirement entitlements. Members of the LRS squadron unfortunately had their hands tied, due to Lapp’s effective retirement date reaching back to 1979. As more and more doors were closed, Senior Airman Carmela Villasenor, 27 SOLRS personal property counselor, became inspired to find a way to help Lapp.

“I went home and talked to my husband that night and asked what could we do,” said Villasenor. “We asked around and knew we could find a way around this. My husband and I reached out for donations, canvased the base with flyers, and asked for volunteers.”

Villasenor and her husband, Airman 1st Class Danny Villasenor, 27th Special Operations Civil Engineer Squadron firefighter, found a way to give back to Lapp and his wife Mavis, by formulating a creative solution that enable them to impart their generosity.

On their own time, and out of uniform, Villasenor, her husband and 18 other eager volunteers proceeded to tackle the move themselves. Over the course of two days, the generous volunteers packed, transported and unloaded all of the Lapps’ belongings, weighing close to 18,000 pounds.

“People donated boxes, money and their time,” Villasenor said. “We were able to raise enough funds to buy all the boxes, dollies and rent a truck. We even had enough money to hire a couple moving guys in Lubbock to help with the unloading process.”

After all the boxes were unloaded, an appreciative Lapp gave his sincerest words of thanks. Though their act of kindness wasn’t required, nor was it an easy feat, Villasenor epitomized what it truly means to be a selfless Airman - one who honors those who have served before and helps motivate those who serve alongside her.