446th Airlift Wing Veterans' Day spotlight

MCCHORD FIELD, Wash. -- This year, two 446th Airlift Wing Citizen Airmen share the spotlight in honor of Veterans' Day. Chaplain (Maj.) Pierre Allegre, the wing chaplain and Chief Master Sgt. Arthur Green Jr., 36th Aerial Port Squadron chief of Operations, describe the meaning of being a veteran and why they continue to serve in the Air Force Reserve.


Allegre

Allegre has been with the 446th AW for five years and in the Air Force for 14 years. When he's not serving in the military capacity, he serves as a church pastor in his city of residence, Olympia.

He said being in the military has given him the chance to meet incredible people and see interesting places--but mostly the opportunity to help people during desperate times.

"Those are the memories I will take with me."

Serving God in a unique mission field while being a patriot, and providing for his family are the reasons he joined the Air Force, said the Hunting Beach, Calif. native.
But the military runs through his blood.

"My dad immigrated from France after (World War II) and served in the US Army," Allegre said. "My oldest brother served in the Army as well."

Listening to other veterans' war stories is one of the ways he honors them.

"I often make it a point to ask the veterans I meet to tell me their stories," Allegre said. "I love military history and am always interested in hearing about it from those who lived it. I have officiated in scores of military funerals for veterans, a profound and moving way to honor their service and to minister to their families."

He said Veterans' Day is a reminder of why he puts on the uniform.

"(Veterans' Day is) a time to remember I'm among a great company of men and women in our nation's history, who have worn the uniform and served in our nation's defense," he said.

When he's not wearing his Airman Battle Uniform, or pastor garb, he is known as "dad" or "Pierre."

He has three sons, Daniel, who is in the (Air Force) Combat Controller training pipeline, Luke--a student at South Puget Sound Community College, and Peter--a high school sophomore.

"My wife, Mary just celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary," Allegre said. "She supports me by being the kindness, more gracious person I have ever known. She's my best friend and companion for life. We're a very close family."

The chaplain said, his family like watching professional soccer, going on trips, kayaking, camping, backpacking, and just hanging out together.

Allegre said his congregation supports his Air Force duties.

"They have always affirmed and supported that dual role and loan me out to the military as a missionary," said the lieutenant colonel select. "When I deploy or go (on temporary duty), leaders from my congregation continue to provide pastoral care for our people. I don't believe in being a one-man show. To fill the pulpit, I usually bring in guest preachers, other military chaplains, missionaries, members of para-church organizations, or retired pastors."

His deployments to Balad, Iraq are examples of their support, but the chaplain said he likes being available for Airmen--even outside of Reserve weekends.

"I serve the Lord by serving others," he said. "Living nearby allows me to be available to Airmen off duty throughout the month. If I was attached to another base, I would lose that accessibility."
Coaching youth soccer is another way Allegre serves "off the clock."

"I love the game and treasure the opportunity to make a significant impact on the lives of the boys and girls that I coach," he said.

He coaches boys' soccer in the fall and girls' in the spring, he said.

Chaplain Allegre continues to serve in the 446th AW and live by his mantra.

"Be kinder than necessary, because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle."

Green

Green enlisted into the Air Force in 1984 and has been with the 446th Airlift Wing for the last 19 years. His civilian position mirrors his military one as a logistics supervisor at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Main--which he has also been doing for the last 19 years.

Green's nine-year stint as an active-duty Airman took him to various duty stations, including Clark Air Base, Republic of the Philippines, 1984 to 1990, the Tonopah Test Range, Nev., 1990 to1992, and McChord Air Force Base, 1992 to1994.

"(The Air Force) has given me numerous skills and experiences that have shaped my life for the better," he said. "I truly enjoy what I do and feel a sense of responsibility and obligation to pass on every bit of knowledge I have to the next generation of Airmen."

Green said the biggest factor that allows him to participate in the Reserve is Carla, his wife of 29 years.

"She has endured every deployment I had to go on in our 29 Years of service," the father of three said. "I thank her for the support and words of wisdom."

By the time he joined the military Green, a Spanaway resident, was used to moving quite often.

"My dad is retired Army," he said. "I was use to traveling as a military dependent and was ready start my life on my own."

Spending most of his youth in Cleveland, Green and his family also spent time, at Okinawa, Japan, Homestead, Fla., Ansbach and Schweinfurt, Germany, and El Paso, Texas.

Whenever he gets the chance, Green said working on automobiles is his main hobby--and he uses this pastime to honor veterans as well.

"My wife and I are members of a car club," he said. "Some of the things we do are giving veterans rides and supporting vet-sponsored car shows and events throughout the year."

Green said being a veteran and Veterans' Day mean a lot to him.

"It means I have done my part to contribute to the way of life we believe in as Americans," he said. "For me, it's a day to recognize the sacrifices of the vets who served before us."

As a 446th AW Reservist, Green has been on many missions including, Moron Spain, Balad Air Base Iraq, and Haiti.

Although he still serves with the wing, he plans on visiting more U.S. monuments.