PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --
(This story is part two of four of 1st Lt. Adam Kriete, 337th Air Control Squadron student, and his family coming to Patrick Air Force Base, Fla. from Tyndall AFB, Fla.)
When 1st Lt. Adam Kriete, his wife Heather and their three daughters came to Patrick Air Force Base they didn’t know what to do.
“Before he joined the Air Force, we were on food stamps and Medicaid,” said Heather. “We came up from nothing and built ourselves up to what we have now. So it’s hard to go back and say we need help again.”
But there was someone waiting to help. There were Wingmen.
Being a Wingman means being there for those who need help, no matter the situation. The Airman and Family Readiness Center worked with several agencies and stepped up to help them and other Tyndall families affected by Hurricane Michael.
The AFRC opened the Airman’s Attic to get clothes for the Kriete family. The 45th Comptroller Squadron also aided with pay issues.
With overwhelming support of friends, family and Airmen that was shown to them, the Krietes didn’t hesitate to start giving back.
“We’re always about service before self and trying to pay it forward,” said Kriete. “That’s our mentality.”
Just over a week after arriving at Patrick AFB, they were planning a six hour trip to Tyndall AFB to check on their home and to deliver supplies to help families.
“We don’t want to go empty handed,” said Kriete. “We know people down there are working their tails off for those in need.”
At approximately 3 a.m., Oct. 19, the Krietes left for Tyndall AFB.