VFW donates laptops to AFRC

Tom Buffington, VFW Department of Europe senior vice commander, presents one of 12 laptop computers, to Col. David Slade, 31st Mission Group commander, and Maj. Jason Janaros, 31st Force Support Squadron commander, during a ceremony on Dec. 9 at the Aviano Airman and Family Readiness Center. The VFW donated the laptops to the center for use with its training programs and to supplement those consoles in its computer lab. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Lindsey Maurice)

VFW donates laptops to Aviano AFRC

Published Dec. 12, 2008
By Staff Sgt. Lindsey Maurice
31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs

AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy -- The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8862 Vicenza donated 12 laptops to the Aviano Airman and Family Readiness Center during a special ceremony Dec. 9.

The much-needed laptops will be put to use for various training programs within the center and as additional consoles in the computer lab when it is fully occupied.

"This is a very generous gift from the VFW and something we are extremely grateful for," said Keith Lear of the Aviano AFRC. "We will definitely put these new systems to use."

Mr. Lear said he had initially mentioned the AFRC's outdated computer lab equipment to the National VFW commander, George Lisicki , during a tour of the facility on his visit to the base and Vicenza.

"I had just casually mentioned it to him, but never expected the VFW to purchase new equipment for our Aviano Airmen and families to use," he said. "It was an unexpected surprise."

Tom Buffington, VFW Department of Europe senior vice commander, presented the laptops to Col. David Slade, 31st Mission Group, and Maj. Jason Janaros, 31st Force Support Squadron commander, during the ceremony.

"While we primarily support Vicenza, we still try to help out and support Aviano whenever we can," he said. "The well-being of our military members and their families are important and anything we can do to help, we will."