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Kadena sergeant’s kindness reaches across the miles

  • Published
  • By Jodi L. Jordan
  • Air Force Enlisted Village
The Air Force Enlisted Village may be more than 7,000 miles away, but it’s still close to the heart of one 353rd Special Operations Group first sergeant. Master Sgt. Steven Hoshaw, first sergeant for the 353rd Operations Support Squadron, recently spearheaded a fundraising drive at Kadena Air Base, Japan, for the Ride to Retire the Debt, a bike ride to benefit Hawthorn House, the AFEV’s assisted living residence.

Sergeant. Hoshaw’s efforts have raised $3000 so far from Kadena personnel to support the ride, the largest amount from any base. 

Sergeant Hoshaw said he learned about the fundraiser from retired Senior Master Sgt. Sue Holler, one of the ride’s organizers. Sergeant Holler also was a first sergeant at Kadena. Sergeant Hoshaw said he has always supported the AFEV, which provides homes to enlisted Air Force widows.

“The Enlisted Village provides a safe home for Air Force widows, and they lessen some of the financial burdens that plague so many of our elderly folks that are on fixed incomes,” Sergeant. Hoshaw said. The AFEV accepts widows regardless of their financial status.

The Ride to Retire the Debt kicks off March 26. It consists of a two-day ride around Lake Okeechobee, in south Florida. Although Sergeant Hoshaw won’t be able to participate, he said he’s glad to have been a part of the effort. “We appreciate all that the spouses have contributed to the United States Air Force. These folks have served their time and deserve to be cared for in a dignified manner.”

For more information on the ride, or on the Air Force Enlisted Village, see their website at www.afenlistedwidows.org.