Airmen restore vets' home

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Sean Cowher
  • 147th Reconnaissance Wing Public Affairs
HOUSTON, TX --  An Airman with the 147th Reconnaissance Wing needed help with critical repairs to a Vietnam veteran's home, so he turned to his wingmen and they answered, volunteering time and skills to the project. Tech. Sgt. Klaus Riel, a 147th Vehicle Maintenance technician with the wing, works with Rebuilding Together Houston, a non-profit charity that helps low-income disabled elderly people get emergency critical repairs to their homes. Riel and a team of Airmen from the wing replaced dry-rotted wood and siding, installed a new storm door, cut back overgrown bushes and trees and painted the exterior of the house.
"What [the Airmen] are doing out here today, it's a critical part of us being able to help homeowners", said Tim Rogers, Director of Construction for Rebuilding Together Houston. Rogers also said they have several hundred homes that are in need of repair. While they get materials and money donated, what we're lacking are skilled volunteers that are able to perform the repairs. This is the third house the Sgt. Riel has worked on.
"It's not about me it's for the vets; I enjoy doing it and I enjoy giving," Riel said about being a part of the restoration project.